Lanarkshire History Comes Alive

Aug 19 2010 by George Topp, Hamilton Advertiser

HISTORY comes alive in South Lanarkshire this week, thanks to the support of the Advertiser.

Scotland's Festival of History, the largest history, heritage and re-enactment event ever held in Scotland, takes place in Lanark on Saturday and Sunday.

This unique walk back in time is being backed by S&UN, the Advertiser's publishers, along with the country's national events agency, EventScotland, South Lanarkshire Council and Leader+.

Visitors to Lanark Racecourse over the weekend will be able to relive history, with an accurate portrayal of 2000 years.

More than 500 re-enactors and history specialists from across Europe start gathering in Lanark today to prepare for the event, which is now the country's national history festival.

Roman re-enactors, coming from Wales to Lanarkshire, will march through the site to Latin marching chants, recalling the days when an area near the racecourse was one of the country's most important Roman camps.

Elsewhere on the large site the public will be able to walk through living history encampments, learning how people lived several hundred years ago.

The colourful and spectacular festival includes Vikings; medieval warriors and knights from the days of William Wallace; the feuding clans Hamilton and Douglas who battled it out in Lanark in 1455; the Covenanters and Jacobites; Napoleonic soldiers back from the French wars; men of the 1812 Anglo American Campaign, and the two world wars.

On the Saturday there will also be a flypast by a plane from the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

But the festival is not just about battle displays.

There is a two day international longbow archery tournament for the £3000 Lanark Silver Arrow; jesters, jugglers and a circus skills workshop for children; period song, dance and music; historic craft displays; a modern craft and specialist gift market; falconry; hands-on activities for children and adults; and a large, colourful tented medieval market selling everything from historic costume and armour to glass and books. Even the on-site catering is different - with visitors able to sample water buffalo steaks and burgers.

There is also a serious side to the two day show, with displays by PoppyScotland and the Armed Services Veterans Association, which includes a Gulf War vehicle and displays showing how specialists tackle IEDs in Afghanistan.

The festival opens at 10am both days. There is free car parking and a free shuttle bus from Lanark town centre. Adult admission is £6 and a family ticket £14.

Further details are on www.scotlandsfestivalofhistory.co.uk, or by telephoning 07963 128365.