Christmas cracker of a start for Lanark

Nov 20 2008 by George Topp, Lanark & Carluke

LANARK got into the swing of Christmas on Saturday with over 8000 people in High Street for the festive market.

Visitors from as far away as Ayr, Edinburgh and even Aberdeen, were in Lanark for the largest Christmas market in Scotland.

Lanark High Street, which would normally attract just a few hundred people on a November Saturday, was transformed into a sea of faces – thousands of them.

The town’s annual Christmas festival is Scotland’s answer to the famous Christmas markets of France and Germany.

Around 100 stall holders took over High Street, selling a wide range of specialist crafts, gifts, food and drink. One man, selling specialist coffee beans, even made a 600-mile round trip to take part and was delighted at the response.

And a cheese maker from Caithness, admitting she’d mistakenly driven all the way to Lanark a week early, said the reaction from shoppers on Saturday was worth it.

Visitors were able to shop, watch a range of on-stage entertainment, and then cheer on Santa, Lanimer Queen Sarah Smith and Provost Russell Clearie, as they switched on the town’s Christmas lights.

Karen Gillon, Clydesdale MSP, was an enthusiastic visitor.

She said afterwards: “The Christmas market was a fantastic event. I was there at 9am and it was busy.

“It is a real boost to the town, both to the local economy and in raising the profile of the area.

“I hope that visitors, of whom there were many, make a point of coming back and seeing other things the area has to offer.

“The nature of the event meant that we were able to come as a family and there was something for us all.

“It is a credit to all involved in the organisation that it was such a success and a great start to the festive season,” she added.

Her view was shared by Lanark community council chairman Frank Gunning, who said: “This is an event for everyone, and one that boosts local trade.

“It is a fun day which boosts people’s spirits at just the right time.

“This sort of voluntarily run festival is just what Lanark needs and it would be great if we could have at least another, similar, market during the year. This brings people into the town and lets local businesses target an audience which might not normally come to Lanark.”

South Lanarkshire Council’s Provost Russell Clearie said: “The whole day was absolutely fantastic and went extremely well.

“Everyone who attended seemed to have a great time and I’m sure the event was very successful for local businesses.

“The turnout from the youngest to the oldest was also exceptional and they were a credit to the Royal Burgh of Lanark.

“The range of goods on offer at the Christmas market was staggering and I’m certain the event will continue to go from strength to strength.

“Congratulations must go to the volunteers for all their hard work in helping organise this event.”

l Lanark Lights Up ... see pages 14 and 15 for photos from Saturday’s festival.