It’s Lanark Marches night - join the Perambulation

TONIGHT (Monday, June 8) Lanark observes one of its oldest traditions, keeping a promise said to have been made when the Royal Burgh was granted its charter back in 1140.
By Helen McCall
Published 8th Jun 2015, 11:24 BST
Ready to lead the Marches...2014 Lord Cornet David Murdoch (second from left) with his supporters and the 2015 Lord Cornet-elect Gordon Gray (right) Pic by Sarah PetersReady to lead the Marches...2014 Lord Cornet David Murdoch (second from left) with his supporters and the 2015 Lord Cornet-elect Gordon Gray (right) Pic by Sarah Peters
Ready to lead the Marches...2014 Lord Cornet David Murdoch (second from left) with his supporters and the 2015 Lord Cornet-elect Gordon Gray (right) Pic by Sarah Peters

And nobody can prove otherwise!

The ancient Perambulation of the Marches starts out from Hope Street at 6pm sharp tonight, led by the 2014 Lord Cornet David Murdoch, and the 2015 Lord Cornet-elect Gordon Gray, who was formally Kirked in St Nicholas Church yesterday.

With hundreds, or thousands if it is a nice night, of townspeople behind them, they will check the first stretch of Lanark’s boundaries, its march stones.

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Later this eventing, around 8.15pm, Gordon will be sashed as Lord Cornet by Eleanor McLean, and will receive the Burgh Standard in the Shifting of the Standard ceremony at the Cross.

Gordon, an engineer, is following his own family tradition as his father Leonard Gray and grandfather Robert Barr were also Cornets in their day, in 1987 and 1949.

And before then, the Celia Orr dancers will entertain the crowds, and the annual draw for the five prizes of £1000 each will take place at the Cross.

If you’re fit, follow the Cornets round the Marches; if not, be at the Cross to cheer Gordon.