A stroll round Lanark

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Wellgate, Lanark

After our recent visit to the textiles exhibition at New Lanark, we walked up to the original town of Lanark and onwards to Lanark Loch.

Below are the clock tower of St Nicholas Church (1774) and the Provost’s Lamp (1890s). At one time, this ceremonial lamp-post would have stood outside the house of the current Provost (Mayor), but these days it is a permanent fixture outside the Tollbooth. The dog sits on the roof of a house in Castlegate. Sometime in the 1800s, a Miss Inglis lived opposite. She complained so much about her neighbour’s dog that it had to be put down, and in revenge its owner erected this statue so that she would see it every time she looked out her window! It’s called the “Girnin’ Dug” (the “Crying Dog”).

St Nicholas Church
Provost’s Lamp
“Girnin’ Dug”, Castlegate

Lanark is one of the few Scottish towns with direct links to William Wallace, whom you possibly know from the film Braveheart in which he was played by Mel Gibson. St Kentigern’s Church (pre-1140s) at the entrance to the cemetery is where Wallace married Marion Braidfute – unfortunately, it’s fenced off so you can’t get inside. I loved the little skull and crossbones on this gravestone next to it – sweet rather than scary.

St Kentigern’s Church
Skull and crossbones

Nearby is the Murray Chapel, bequeathed to the community in 1912 by Helen Martin Murray in memory of her parents and siblings. It’s not possible to go in here either. The doorway is finely carved – if you can’t read it, the inscription says Thou wilt not leave us in the dust : Thou hast made us, thou art just.

Cemetery and Murray Chapel
Murray Chapel

Finally, we had a walk round Lanark Loch. The sculpture at the entrance, Spirit of Flight, commemorates the Lanark Airshow of 1910.

Moon through trees at Lanark Loch
Lanark Loch
Spirit of Flight at Lanark Loch

We made our way back to New Lanark along a lovely path called The Beeches – all downhill. What goes down, of course, must come up so we climbed the very steep steps to the carpark and headed for home.

Linked to Jo’s Monday Walks – this week, she’s camellia hunting. As for me, next week I’ll be back to writing about Amsterdam – there’s still more to tell!

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  2. Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Among the fisherfolk | restlessjo

  5. That is quite the ironic revenge – the dog has been immortalized, whereas Miss Inglis is only remembered as a peevish person who caused the dog to die.

    Jude

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  6. Very atmospheric pictures. I enjoyed this walk but I shall be happy to get back to Amsterdam next week!

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  7. That is an absolutely adorable little skull! I’m inclined to feel bad for the dog, but maybe I’m judging Miss Inglis harshly and it actually was a vicious dog that was constantly barking and trying to bite her. The statue version certainly looks quite sweet though…

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  10. Good post. I love the dug – it’s the sort of thing I thing that really appeals to me. Have to say, though, never been to Lanark. John really takes some excellent photographs.

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  12. Lanark Loch looks lovely, and I like the dog statue on the roof. I think if I’d been the owner I would have had the original dog stuffed and put up there, that would have been the ultimate revenge! 🙂

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  13. Another great walk and one my hubby would love to see since he loved that film Braveheart even if it is largely made up. I like that grave as well because the skull looks…um…cute

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  14. It’s rather sad that one can no longer access these old burial grounds. I’m guessing there is too much risk of damage.

    Loved the story about the dog statue! Passive-aggressiveness at its best 😆

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  16. Thanks for sharing this lovely, sunny walk Anabel. It looks like a cold sun though. I’ve seen the skull and crossbones on quite a few Scottish headstones, but never anywhere else. You’ve inspired me to go and find out about it.

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  19. Hi Anabel – what a delightful town full of history … I’d love to visit too – and what a beautiful day … Spring really is on its way. Love the sculpture for that early air show (1910) … cheers Hilary

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  21. I enjoyed reading this. Only been to Lanark once and it was heading for Craignethan Castle, which is nearby. This makes me want to get on a train and go!

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  26. It’s a nice town Lanark- Lovely situation and more in it to see than some of the surrounding communities. Passed through there on Sunday and thought exactly that…:)

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  27. Hi, Anabel – I especially love your photo of the ‘Spirit of Flight’ sculpture….very cool! I enjoyed the virtual tour around Lanark and look forward to further tours with you in Amsterdam.

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    • It is! I don’t think the picture gives a good impression of its scale, but I thought it was more important to have the lovely blue sky. We don’t see enough of it.

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  28. The Girnin Dog is inspired revenge, but I wonder if it didn’t backfire on the owner. I’d hate to have an every day reminder of such a sad occasion.

    I agree with you about the skull and crossbones. I’ve never seen sweet looking ones before, but these definitely qualify.

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  30. Anabel, it was great that you had beautiful blue skies to showcase another enjoyable part of Scotland. It indeed wasn’t like that when we visited there and New Lanark! The dull drizzly weather was an excellent excuse to visit the cafe for a hot drink 🙂

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