LANARK, the head burgh of the county of that name, is situated on an eminence half a mile from the Clyde, on its northern bank, at the distance of thirty-two miles west from Edinburgh, and twenty-five miles south-east from Glasgow. The derivation of the name has been the subject of much dispute, and is still involved in doubt. Lanark is one of the most ancient towns in Scotland. It appears to have been of considerable importance as early as the tenth century; for the first parliament ever held in Scotland was assembled here by Kenneth II. in 978; and at the royal castle of Lanark, the charter of William the Lion in favour of the town of Ayr was dated, in 1197. It was also the scene of the first military exploit of Sir William Wallace, who there slew the English governor for his cruelty and oppression, and in the neighbouring rocky fastnesses raised the standard of deliverance.
Lanark was originally erected into a royal burgh by Alexander I. There were several subsequent charters granted by other kings; but the last one, confirmatory of all the rest, was given by Charles I. in 1632.
Till the beginning of the present century, Lanark presented a mean and deserted appearance, and was said to be a "finished town;" but the rapid increase of the cotton manufacture at Glasgow, of the benefit of which Lanark reflectively enjoys a portion, has done much in reviving a spirit of improvement. The old houses are being rapidly modernised, and many new houses have been added. A branch of the Commercial Bank has been established, and a handsome house erected for the accommodation of their agent. A new jail and splendid county buildings have been erected, reading-rooms instituted, and many other indications of growing prosperity and wealth are manifested in a marked manner.
Lanark, New Lanark-shire. The staple occupation, previously to the introduction of the cotton manufacture, was the making of shoes and stockings; but latterly these manufactures have been mostly limited to the consumption of the district. About 700 persons are engaged in weaving, and about 100 in shoemaking.
Lanark, along with Hamilton, Airdrie, and Falkirk, sends one representative to parliament. The municipal government is vested in a provost, two bailies, and fourteen councillors.
The population of the burgh in 1794 was 2000, in 1831 it was 4266, and it must have increased considerably since that period. The population of the parish in 1831 was 7672.