Lanark’s 875th anniversary Ride Out - slideshow

At Lanark Cross Depute Lord Lieutenant David Cranstoun wished them Safe Oot, Safe In, then they were led up the High Street by Lanark and District Pipe Band and set off round the countryside for the full day’s ride.

The riders, however, had a stop first at Hyndford Road, for the dedication of two new March Stones, the stones which form Lanark’s traditional boundary.

Lord Cornet Gordon Gray had noticed the stones on maps up to 1864, but they had vanished by the 1896 map. With Historic Scotland he arranged for replacements, and they were duly installed then dedicated during the early stage of the Ride Out.

The Lord Lieutenant was transported across the field on the back of a quad bike to join the riders, then he, Gordon Gray, and Lanimer chairperson Loraine Swan said a few words at the stone, with Gordon pouring a (small!) libation of whisky on it.

Gordon was delighted at the success of the day, organised by the Cornets Club.

“It was absolutely amazing,” he said. “It was such a good turn out, and it was just amazing to have so many from the Border towns coming out to support us.

“The crowds in Lanark were good too, a lot more than we expected,”

The route, round the Lanark area, taking in the racecourse, Robiesland and Corehouse, and down to Lee Castle and back, was drawn up by Danny McGuinness, Lord Cornet 25 years ago and still a keen rider.

See our pictures here, and for a look at all the horses leaving Lanark High Street, watch our video: click here