Lanark Museum

Call Directions Website Contact the museum

Lanark Museum Lanark Museum is temporarily closed until we reopen in our new premises 31 High Street, Lanark. Car parking is available nearby. Lanark ML11 9HD.

Lanark Museum houses a collection of items which illustrate the ancient and varied history of the town. Lanark is one of Scotland's oldest burghs, and from the time of King William the Lion was a favoured hunting area of the Kings of Scotland. It also has associations with two of Scotland's greatest heroes: William Wallace and King Robert the Bruce. Location
Lanark can be reached with ease from most places in central Scotland and is signposted on all major routes. It is situated nearly half way between Glasgow and Edinburgh and can be reached from both in under an hour. Lanark Museum is within 5 minutes drive of the World Heritage Village of New Lanark and is situated on the main A73 road within 300 yards of the town centre. The headquarters of the museum are at 8 Westport. This property serves as the office, workshop and archive for the museum. An illustrated timeline of Lanark's history and an exhibition of historical artefacts are housed in the YMCA building, 29 Bloomgate, less than 100 yards from 8 Westport and on the other side of the road. Exhibition Opening Hours
11:30 - 16:00; Fridays & Saturdays; April to September

Collection Opening Hours
The volunteers work throughout the year managing the collection. From September to April, when the exhibition is closed, they take down the current exhibition, pack everything into storage in the Westgate premises and begin planning and setting up the next. Individual researchers and group visits (including schools) are welcome at any time by appointment. Admission
Admission is free, although a donation towards the running expenses of the museum would be much appreciated. A donation box is placed at the exit of the exhibition. Funding
The museum is a charitable organisation, managed and staffed by volunteers. The work of the museum is financed through grants, donations given by visitors to the museum and the fund-raising activities of the Friends of Lanark Museum, also a purely voluntary organisation.

Charles Lindsay of Ridge Park, Lanark. c. 1875On his death in 1884, aged 73, Charles Lindsay left his estate in trust fo...
19/10/2026

Charles Lindsay of Ridge Park, Lanark. c. 1875

On his death in 1884, aged 73, Charles Lindsay left his estate in trust for "the er****on of a free public library, reading room and museum within the Burgh of Lanark".

However, the money was not to be used until after the death of his wife. Mrs Lindsay died in 1902. Following this the Trustees, after various false starts, finally purchased a vacant plot in Hope Street. The opening ceremony of the Lindsay Institute, now housing Lanark Library, took place on the 25th June 1914.

County Garage, Hyndford Road, Lanark. Undated.This view of part of the forecourt of the County Garage although undated i...
16/10/2026

County Garage, Hyndford Road, Lanark. Undated.

This view of part of the forecourt of the County Garage although undated is after May 1955 when the brand BP Super was introduced. One of the five pumps is dispensing that brand.

The firm was established as the County Garage (Lanark) Ltd. in 1928.

Wellgate facing north-west. c.1919This busy scene includes, on the right, the w**e & spirit shop, also known as the Volu...
15/10/2026

Wellgate facing north-west. c.1919

This busy scene includes, on the right, the w**e & spirit shop, also known as the Volunteer’s Rest, which was run by Mrs Caroline McKerrow between about 1916 to 1922 at no. 75 Wellgate. The confectioners shop on the left, at no. 72, was owned by Miss Mary Prosser between about 1916 and 1925.

A view from St. Nicholas Church tower. Undated.Looking to slightly south of east with St. Mary’s Church in the centre. T...
14/10/2026

A view from St. Nicholas Church tower. Undated.

Looking to slightly south of east with St. Mary’s Church in the centre. The large building on the left, behind the Council Offices is the Regal/Vogue cinema/bingo hall. The refurbished baths on the right were closed in December 2009 and replaced by SL Lifestyles Leisure Centre which has a 25m pool.

Cartoon by Willie Gall. Undated.The caption for this cartoon which was published in the Evening Times is “When ah said t...
13/10/2026

Cartoon by Willie Gall. Undated.

The caption for this cartoon which was published in the Evening Times is “When ah said that ah I only wanted ma tyres blawn up, he fainted.”
We do not know the year or the month but it was published on a Thursday.

Willie Gall, a native of the parish, was a familiar figure in Lanark in his younger days having worked for a time in Mungo Dunlops’, grocery shop in the High Street.

A New Home for Lanark Museum — and Ways to Get InvolvedWe have moved into our new premises at 31 High Street, Lanark. We...
12/10/2026

A New Home for Lanark Museum — and Ways to Get Involved
We have moved into our new premises at 31 High Street, Lanark. We wish to thank everyone who helped to prepare for and carry out our flitting, as well as those who wished to help but were unable to because of the timing. Our next step is to develop a strategy for adapting the building so that our new exhibition space is accessible to all. We will be in touch when we are looking for further help.
We are creating a list of new and returning volunteers so that we can request help as and when it is needed. All information will be kept in the strictest confidence and will not be shared in any way. If you would like to join the list, please contact us through Facebook Messenger or email [email protected]. Volunteering opportunities can include:
* Assisting with the move
• Caring for the collection
• Cataloguing
• IT tasks
• Preparing exhibitions
• Helping during opening hours
Training will be given in all cases.

Thomas Reid M.A. with his pupils. Undated.Taken in the garden of his home, Arnold Villa, which was also the location of ...
09/10/2026

Thomas Reid M.A. with his pupils. Undated.

Taken in the garden of his home, Arnold Villa, which was also the location of his private school, Arnold Academy, at 17 Friar’s Lane. His establishment was run as a day and boarding school.

The school was founded in about 1892 and ran until at least 1928. Reid had been Rector of Lanark Grammar School between 1875 and 1884 and was later headmaster of the Burgh School in Mousebank Road. Thomas died in 1930 aged 91.

Lanark Primary School, Class 2b 1959/60The names with this photograph are:- Back Row left – right. Leonard Nicol, Alex. ...
08/10/2026

Lanark Primary School, Class 2b 1959/60

The names with this photograph are:-

Back Row left – right. Leonard Nicol, Alex. Murphy, Cameron McMaster, William McNeish, Ian Iveson, William Lyon, Ian Sinclair, David Thom and Alan Forrest.

Second Row left – right. David MacDonald, Gordon Johnston, John Todd, David Milligan, Ian Jamieson, Harold Gray, Jimmy Heard, Tommy Hislop, Joe Watt and Stewart Brown.

Third Row left – right. Derek McIvor, Martin Rowley, David Keith, Elizabeth Darroch, Moira Campbell, Mary Lindsay, May Brown, Robert Bryce, Ian Hamilton and Billy Robb.

Front Row left – right. Linda Lumsden, Elizabeth Morris, Jean Thomson, Sheila Hunter, Sandra Muir, Christine Scott, Betty Begg, Christine Main, Sandra McLeod, Helen Lindsay, Helen Turner and Eileen Keenan.

Absent that day were Allan Young and a girl whose name we only have part of i.e. Ann Li…….. Can anyone tell us who she was?

Crosslaw Poorhouse, Hyndford Road Lanark. 1927.Crosslaw was built for the Parochial Board of Lanark and initially was fo...
07/10/2026

Crosslaw Poorhouse, Hyndford Road Lanark. 1927.

Crosslaw was built for the Parochial Board of Lanark and initially was for residents of the Parish of Lanark only but this was soon opened up to the wider local area of the Upperward of Lanarkshire. The foundation stone was laid on the 5th of June 1878 by Thomas Watson, Esquire of Wheatpark, Lanark.

This photograph was taken on the 24th December, 1927 to commemorate the inauguration of extensions to the building.

Lanark Loch facing north. c.1956.A much simpler layout than found today. In the distance on the right are the buildings ...
06/10/2026

Lanark Loch facing north. c.1956.

A much simpler layout than found today. In the distance on the right are the buildings associated with the old Oil Refinery at Whitelees. The golf club buildings are hidden behind the conifers at the north end of the loch.

Address

Lanark

Opening Hours

Friday 11:30am - 4pm
Saturday 11:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+441555666680

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Lanark Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Lanark Museum:

Shortcuts

Share

Category