Lanark

The action at Lanark was an attack at Lanark, Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence in May 1297. The Scotsman William Wallace led an uprising against the English and killed the Sheriff of Lanark, William Heselrig. The attack was not an isolated incident, but rather saw Wallace joining in with uprisings taking place across Scotland.Not much is definitely known about this incident. The best account comes from the Scalacronica by Thomas Grey, whose father, also called Thomas Grey, was present. A fracas broke out at a court being held by Heselrig, but Wallace was able to escape with help from an individual named Innes who may have been his wife. He then came back with some supporters and attacked Heselrig and his men, killed Heselrig, nearly killed Thomas Grey senior, and set fire to some houses. Wallace then continued with his rebellion, which culminated in his victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge four months later. It is unclear what Wallace was doing at Heselrig's court, and whether this was a spontaneous incident or if it was co-ordinated with other risings in Scotland.According to the 15th century poem The Wallace, written by Blind Harry, Wallace carried out the attack in revenge for the killing of his beloved wife by Heselrig. The identity of Wallace's wife is not known for certain, but her name is believed to be Marion Braidfute. Harry also claims that Wallace dismembered Heselrig's body. Wallace biographer Ed Archer published his findings in 2005 that disputed the existence of Marion Braidfute, as there had been no mention of her prior to a revised rendition of Blind Harry's poem in 1570, believed by Archer to have been commissioned by the Baillies of Lamington, to gain favor with Mary, Queen of Scots by claiming relation to Wallace through their Braidfute lineage.Fictionalised versions of this incident have appeared in various accounts of Wallace's life, notably in the 1995 film Braveheart, in which his wife was called Murron MacClannough, and her execution preceded the battle.

Lanark Tolbooth is a municipal building in Hope Street, Lanark, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The building, which now operates as an arts and heritage centre, is a Category B listed building.

St Nicholas Parish Church is a category B listed building and Church of Scotland place of worship in the town centre of Lanark, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The original 13th-century chapel was documented as early as 1890, however at that time it was claimed that there were no remnants of that building. A survey in the 1990s conducted by the Lanark and District Archaeological Society was able to find artefacts dating back to the 13th century, as well as 16th century pillars believed to have been constructed by Thomas Twaddle in 1571. Sources also reported evidence of the chapel's continued use in the medieval period and post-Reformation. Over the front entrance is an eight-foot-tall (approximately 2.4 meters) statue of William Wallace. This dates back to the early 19th century and was sculpted by Robert Forrest. In 2004, the remains of a well were found on the former grounds of the church during a routine ground breaking. There is documentation of the well's existence dating back to 1662; it was found in what is now Bloomgate, close to the church building, and was filled in after being drained and recorded. The church has had many ministers over the years, but has been left without a resident minister since 30 November 2014, when the incumbent Rev Alison Meikle left for Grangemouth Zetland.

Lanark Sheriff Court is a judicial building in Hope Street, Lanark, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The building, which continues to serve as the local courthouse, is a Category B listed building.

The Lindsay Institute is a Category B listed building in Lanark, Scotland, which was opened by Sheriff Scott Moncrieff on 25 June 1914 with a free reading room, library and museum. The building is still in use today and houses the Lanark Library, which is run by South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture.

St Mary's Church is a Roman Catholic church in Lanark, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The church building and presbytery are Category A listed buildings. Also listed in Category A is the L-shaped school building to the north of the west end of the church.The entrance gates to the church grounds and the Sisters of Charity convent, which form part of the St Mary's Church site, are Category C listed buildings. In September 2011, the two-storey Hall that stood on Ladyacre Road was badly damaged by fire and was later demolished.

Lanark railway station is in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, and is managed by ScotRail and is the southern terminus of the Argyle Line. The station is located on Bannatyne Street, Lanark, which is staffed part-time (open Monday-Saturday 06:20 until 20:25) and has a car park with 31 spaces, including two disabled bays.

Lanark was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (Westminster) from 1918 to 1983. It elected one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post voting system. There was also an earlier Lanark Burghs constituency, from 1708 to 1832.

Lanark Burghs (also known as Linlithgow Burghs) was a district of burghs constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (at Westminster) from 1708 to 1832, representing a seat for one Member of Parliament (MP). There was also a later Lanark county constituency, from 1918 to 1983.

The Broomgate drill hall is a former military installation in Lanark, Scotland.

Lanark Grammar School is a secondary school in Lanark, Scotland. It was founded in 1183, and celebrated its octocentenary in 1983, including a visit by The Princess Anne. The school draws its pupils from the town of Lanark and many villages in the local area, including Douglas, Carstairs and Braehead. The Head Teacher is Jeff Warden, who took over in January 2022 following Mark Sherry who served 17 years in post. The school has 6 houses: Lockhart, Jerviswood, Wallace, Hyndford, Braxfield and Clyde, pupils are sorted into these by tutor group upon the first day of term. There are around 100 teachers (FTE) and around 1100 students.

St Kentigern's Church is a scheduled monument in Lanark, South Lanarkshire. Its churchyard and burial aisles are a category B listed building. It was previously the parish church of the town. It is believed that the church was founded by St Kentigern himself shortly before his death in 603 AD. There is documentary evidence of its existence, however, dating back to 1150 AD when King David I granted it to the monastery of Dryburgh. Pope Gregory VIII took the church into his own protection in 1228.The church, which was once attended by William Wallace, is now in a state of disrepair, despite having had repair work completed recently.