Fallen tree is a threat to Lanark’s historic Marches

WORLD Wars and all sorts of other human calamities of the past thousand years or so have failed to stop it but could Lanark’s ancient annual Marches ritual finally be brought to a halt by a humble tree?
Blocked...Reporter Ron Harris ducks beneath the giant trunk across the Stey Brae on Lanark's Marches route (Pic Lindsay Addison)Blocked...Reporter Ron Harris ducks beneath the giant trunk across the Stey Brae on Lanark's Marches route (Pic Lindsay Addison)
Blocked...Reporter Ron Harris ducks beneath the giant trunk across the Stey Brae on Lanark's Marches route (Pic Lindsay Addison)

Actually, the tree that crashed in the recent storms right across the path of the route hundreds of Lanarkians tramp on the Perambulation of the Marches on the Monday night of Lanimer Week every June isn’t all THAT humble!

In fact, it is a huge tree weighing many tons which has stood at the top of the Stey Brae overlooking the Mouse Valley for hundreds of years at a favourite spot for young courting couples to canoodle at the end of the ‘lovers lane’ that connects the Brae to Waterloo Road.

And although the council hopes to have it cleared for June 9, traditionalists are worried.

For more details, pick up a copy of this week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette.