This year we became the official portrait photographers for Lanark Lanimer celebrations and phew, it has been hectic work. We photographed 32 members of the court individually and as groups plus the adult pricipals involved in the event at the start of April and hosted a preview evening for parents at the end of the month. Work is currently underway to have all the official framed portraits ready for shop windows at the end of May. We can’t post any images as they are unveiled in the Lanark Lanimer brochure at the start of June!
For those of you who have never hear of Lanark Lanimers, here’s a bit of history: Lanark was granted the status of a Royal Burgh in 1140 by David I. One of the conditions attached was that the Burgesses of the town were required to examine their March or boundary stones every year and report back that all was well or ill according to what they had found. Lanark is probably unique among the Royal Burghs in that it has carried out this duty every year since it was first imposed. This duty of the Land Marches soon became an annual celebration – “The Lanimers”.
What started as a simple duty soon turned into an annual festival including horse racing on Lanark Moor with music by the town drummer and minstrel. The Perambulation of the Marches dates back to 1752; until then riders did the whole circuit on horseback. The Monday evening marches now draw vast crowds, and involve much fun (and mud) for all. Although horses are involved throughout the week, the big event for them is the Wednesday evening ride out. Processions, with decorated vehicles started in the 19th Century, and gradually developed into the colourful affair that can be seen today.
