Lanark from kings to covenanters

Lanark is one of Scotland’s oldest towns and has a long history linked to royalty, battles and local traditions. This page gives you a simple overview of the town’s story and where you can explore it today.

A town with ancient roots

Lanark’s location has attracted settlers for centuries. The Romans built a fort on Castle Hill, and Scotland’s first recorded parliament met here in 978. In 1140, David I made Lanark a Royal Burgh, helping it grow as a centre for trade.

Lanark Castle stood nearby and was used by Scottish kings, including David I and William the Lion. During the Wars of Independence, it fell under English control. In 1297 William Wallace killed the English sheriff in Lanark after his wife was murdered, sparking wider rebellion. Robert the Bruce later destroyed the castle to prevent its use by enemy forces. The site of the castle was eventually levelled in the middle of the 18th century and is now used as a bowling green.

Buildings linked to Wallace

St Kentigern’s Church, built around 1180, sits on the site of an earlier church and is believed to be where Wallace married Marion Braidfute. Nearby St Nicholas Church dates from 1774 and has an 8‑foot statue of Wallace on its tower. A plaque across from the church marks the spot where Wallace’s house once stood. Every June, the statue becomes the backdrop for the Lanimer celebrations.

Covenanters and community life

Lanark’s Mercat Cross was once the place where local decisions were made. In 1666 around 3000 Covenanters gathered here to show their loyalty to their faith during a time of religious conflict. Although the Cross is long gone, the area is still known as “the Cross”.

Industry, nature and tourism

Lanark welcomed the railway in 1855, which supported farming, tourism and new businesses. The New Lanark cotton mills, built in the 1700s, became world‑famous and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can visit the restored village, visitor centre and the nearby Falls of Clyde nature reserve for woodland walks and views of the waterfalls.