Lanark Airshow Memorial

"The Spirit of Flight" is located at the entrance to Lanark Loch

The 'Spirit of Flight' at the entrance to Lanark Loch is a memorial to commemorate the centenary of the Lanark Air Show in 1910. It was one of the largest events organized in Scotland at that time. The aerodrome had over 9 miles of telephone cable, the Aerodrome Post Office employed 30 telegraph operators and the Caledonian Railway Company built a new station where at least 14 special trains ran daily. This was only the second British Air Show held and attracted competitors from all over the world. Over 250,000 came to Lanark over 8 days in August 1910.

Competitions for cash prizes included - Long Distance, Cross Country Flights, Speed, Altitude, Weight Carrying and Delivery of Dispatches. 22 aviators from all over the world attended, including one from Peru. The prizes offered were (for the time!) very generous, most first prizes were over £250, and the winner of the Cross Country Flights Competition was awarded £1,610. [£1 in 1910 was equivalent to £57 in 2010]

A rail station was constructed at Lanark Racecourse with a special timetable, with preference given to the first class passengers. 

The three tonne sculpture, designed by Jois Hunter and created by Ratho Byres Forge, is 6.5 metres by 10 metres and features three replicas of planes that flew at the Air Show: the Bristol Box Kite, a Bleriot and an Antoinette. 

Despite not making any profit the meeting was still regarded as a great success. World records for altitude and speed were set, and a total of over 250,000 people attended.