Our Lord Cornet Elect, Karl, has chosen the colours for his rosette.
He selected them in honour of his late mother. The shades of blue reflect her favourite flower, the forget‑me‑not, and also the sea, celebrating her great love of travel which is a passion Karl and his family continue to share.
We send Karl and his entire family our warmest wishes for a very happy Lanimers.
Lord Cornet rosettes will be available to purchase soon, with further details to follow.
The Lanark Lanimer Committee presented flowers to Gil Reid on Saturday as a massive thank you for many years of Lanimer support, including displaying court member’s dresses in the Brooks shop windows.
We wish Gil, Alastair, and the whole team all the very best in their next venture here in Lanark.
Pictured left to right: Gordon Gray, Lanark Lanimer Chairman, Gil Reid; Brooks, and Alan Boyd; Court Convener.
Thank you so much to McKellars the Jewellers who very kindly gifted a gorgeous pendant necklace to our Lanimer Queen Elect.
Pictured left to right; Ken Scott; McKellars Jewellers, Ayda Prentice; Lanimer Queen Elect, and Gordon Gray; Lanimer Committee Chairman.
The Annual General Meeting of The Lord Cornets’ Club was held on Friday 20th February at Lanark Golf Club.
Lord Cornet Elect Karl Stewart was welcomed to the Club by the outgoing President, Ex Lord Cornet Iain Hughes, who presented him with his Lord Cornet Elect Sash, Brass Badge, and Club Tie.
John Prior was also awarded Honorary Membership of The Lord Cornets’ Club for his many years of support to the Club, Lanark, and the wider community, particularly with his photography skills.
Later in the meeting, Ex Lord Cornet Gary Winning was appointed as Club President for 2026/2027.
A full list of appointments made at the Annual General Meeting were as follows:
The evening concluded with an excellent meal provided by the Catering Team at Lanark Golf Club, followed by a social gathering with the members performing their party pieces.
The Lanimer Committee are delighted to announce the Sashing Lady for 2026 is Veronica Liddell.
Veronica is well known throughout the local community through her dedicated volunteer work at both Lanark Tollbooth and Castlebank Park Horticultural Centre. She is also a long‑standing member of Lanark Choral and St Mary’s Choir, contributing richly to the area’s musical life.
Veronica formerly ran the Corra Linn Art Studio in New Lanark, where she taught artistic skills to many people in the community, inspiring both new and experienced artists. She continues to paint today and is currently working on a new mural for Castlebank Park.
In addition to her creative work, Veronica has organised a number of gallery sales, showcasing both her own artwork and pieces created by her pupils. These events have raised significant funds for Lanarkshire Cancer Care Trust Volunteer Drivers Service, a vital service for people who can’t drive or easily get transport to appointments, reflecting her strong commitment to supporting others.
In earlier years, Veronica was also involved in St Mary’s Primary School’s Lanimer entry, supporting the school that her children attended and contributing to our community celebrations.
Veronica’s longstanding dedication to volunteering, the arts, and community involvement makes her a deserving Sashing Lady for 2026.
Celia McCafferty / Orr MBE was selected as Crowning Lady for 2026 on Sunday evening, and will crown Lanimer Queen Ayda Prentice on Lanimer Day, Thursday 11th June.
Celia runs the Celia Orr School of Dancing, teaching Highland, Ballet, Tap, Modern, and Jazz, with the dance school celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2022.
Every two years, the dance school organises a Dance Show, which has raised over £125,000 for local charities and organisations over the years.
Celia was approached by the Sports and Entertainments Committee of the Lanark Lanimer Committee to take over the organisation of the Lanimer Highland Dancing Competition in 1973, an event which was subsequently awarded championship status by the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing in 1977.
While the Celia Orr School of Dancing is her business, Celia organises this competition on behalf of the Lanark Lanimer Committee, with any proceeds being donated back to the Lanimer Celebrations.
The event continues to attract leading dancers from across Scotland, England, and further afield, and the competition has survived many changes of venue from Lanark Racecourse, Castlebank Park, Lanark Memorial Hall, and Lanark Grammar School.
In more recent years, Celia has also organised the display of dancing on the Monday evening of Lanimer Week, prior to the Shifting of the Burgh Standard Ceremony. While this features many of her school pupils, the display is again provided at no cost to the Lanark Lanimer Committee, and provides great entertainment to those in attendance.
The Lanark Lanimer Committee recognised Celia’s contribution to the Highland Dancing Competition by asking her to sash Lord Cornet Bill Tennant in 1989.
In 2003, the Rotary Club of Lanark presented her with their Citizen of the Year award for her charity work.
In 2011, she was made a Life Member of the Royal Academy of Dance. In addition, she is a Life Member of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD) and the UKA Dance.
In 2013, Celia was made a Burgess of the Royal Burgh of Lanark for services to the youth of the Town and promoting Lanark through dance worldwide.
In 2016, Celia was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to Highland dancing and charity.
(Photographs courtesy of John Prior)
The Lanimer Committee are delighted to announce the Crowning Lady for 2026 is Miss Celia Orr/McCafferty MBE.
Finally in our line-up of school groups for the 2026 Lanimer Court we have … St Mary’s Primary School. The very school our Queen Elect represents.
Back Row, left to right; Lucy McKenna (Lady in Waiting), Jovianna Abeykoon (Lady in Waiting), Kayla Cunningham (Chief Maid), Ayda Prentice (Lanimer Queen Elect), Sofia Diplacito (Chief Maid), Jessica Hoey (Lady in Waiting).
Front row, left to right; Bodie Boyle (Page), Amon Soares (Crown Bearer), Henry Lawrence (Page).
Please join the Lanimer Committee in wishing Lanimer Queen Elect Ayda and her Court a very Happy Lanimers.
(Photograph courtesy of John Prior)
Our penultimate school group for the 2026 Lanimer Court is … Robert Owen Memorial Primary School.
Pictured left to right; Frankie Latham (Proclamation Bearer), Finlay Coubrough (Sceptre Bearer), Ethan Percy (Yeoman), Brookelyn Ramp (Lady in Waiting), Annie Baillie (Lady in Waiting), William Fisher (Yeoman), Euan Brown (Outrider).
(Photograph courtesy of John Prior)
Next up in our school groups for the 2026 Lanimer Court is … Kirkfieldbank Primary School.
Pictured left to right; Brody Tooth (Herald) and Kassie Reid (Lady in Waiting).
(Photograph courtesy of John Prior)
