"Perambulation of the Marches", a photo from South Lanarkshire, Scotland

Photographer's Note

A picture taken tonight from our home of a procession marking the beginning of the ancient Lanimer Week in the borough of Lanark.

Many Scottish border towns have gala weeks around this time of year, but Lanark has Lanimers. Lanarkians take the whole event very seriously indeed. If you really want to upset a true Lanarkian, ask him how he enjoys his gala week! A bit like asking Michelangelo if he enjoys painting by numbers.

Each year, before all the ceremonies begin, a "Lanimer Queen" is elected as is a "Lord Cornet". You can read more about Lanimers, the tradition and the history behind it all here.

In the picture the informal procession is led by a few Lord Cornets, wearing their sashes, from previous years. They have left the town centre and are heading out to check the boundary (or "march") stones which mark the boundaries of the town, later to return to the town cross for the "Sashing of the New Lord Cornet" and the "Shifting of the Standard".

Shot in RAW, converted in Canon DPP and edited, cropped, sharpened and framed in PSE6.

All comments/critiques/advice welcome!

Glint, lrw1966, Royaldevon, dougie has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Glint (6171) 2008-06-09 16:03

hello John,
what no horses!? Can't be a proper Marches then. You should tell them Lanarkians to get themselves some horses and do it properly. Still, they don't seem to be taking this too seriously, do they; at least something has made them laugh. Did you here the joke about the Hawick Common Riding? A number of years ago there was big stushy because some women said they wanted to take part in the ride outs and the men said no, 'cos its not the tradition. MEN ONLY! It's aye been that way. (this is all true, by the way). This argument went on for weeks, hit the local press, TV etc. I can't remember the outcome but by Christmas time the town was in a right state as they couldn't put on a nativity play :the male traditonalists wouldn't let Mary on the donkey and in any case the town looked high and low for three wise men and none were to be found.Cracks me up every time!
You got a good vantage point for this shot and it gives a sense of the occasion. Still think they need to get some horses though.
Bev

romanaa (8310) 2008-06-10 2:40

Hello John,
it seems Bev is teasing you... :-)
I love the men are enjoying themselves, and adore that proudnes of Lanarkians - this is something I lack in my country - during those years under communists' rule most of community life was supressed and dissapeared.
Best regards
Romana

lrw1966 (1632) 2008-06-11 8:22

John Hi;
Wonderful image of the historic Festival and Event. An excellent note, as well. You have a very very good POV for the image and it is very sharp and colorful. Congratulaitons
Larry
USA
TFS!

Royaldevon (75510) 2008-06-14 1:31

Hello John,

What interesting things you can find out on TE! And there's me thinking they had won prizes in a fancy dress competition and were all marching down the road to the nearest pub! Well they all look so happy!

I think Bev might be mistaken about the horses. They are all wearing jodhpurs so they have probably parked their horses around the corner.

Great pov to catch so much of the procession and yet keep the shot nicely angled. The images are sharp, detailed and with a good dof.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

dougie (2523) 2008-06-16 1:05

Hi,
Nice one John, looks like they are in fine voice - and no horses! ideal! (sorry Bev, me and horses don't get on). These are great events with an impact on the communities all year round. Thanks,
Dougie.

Photo Information

Copyright: John Cannon (tyro) (30513)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-09
Categories: Festivals, Ceremony, Event
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 55-200mm F/4.5-5.6 II USM, Jessops 52mm Skylight 1A
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-09 15:23