Spectacular Day of Medieval Combat and Living History Hailed A Great Success

Lanark town centre was transformed into a vibrant hub of medieval sights and sounds on Saturday 25 April, as Lanark Medieval Celebration welcomed large crowds from across the Central Belt, including visitors travelling from Glasgow, Edinburgh and beyond.

On a sunny day, the event created a lively and memorable atmosphere with families, history enthusiasts and day-trippers filling the streets.

Organised by Discover Lanark, the free event proved hugely popular, with visitors enjoying a packed programme of entertainment and hands-on experiences set against the historic backdrop of the town centre.

Among the standout highlights were the thrilling combat demonstrations from the Glasgow Sword Breakers, Infernal Unicorns and Edinburgh Armoured Combat Team. Their high-energy displays captivated audiences throughout the day, showcasing the intensity and skill of medieval warfare.

The ever-popular ‘Fight a Knight’ once again drew enthusiastic crowds, giving brave participants the chance to test themselves against a fully armoured opponent — much to the delight of onlookers.

Visitors also enjoyed an impressive range of living history demonstrations, offering fascinating insights into medieval life. Skilled craftspeople brought traditional techniques to life through blacksmithing, leatherworking, pottery, silversmithing, lace making, basket weaving, calligraphy, fletching and food foraging, creating an immersive experience across the town centre.

Adding to the atmosphere were performances of traditional music, roaming troubadours and a wide selection of family-friendly activities.

Many visitors also took the opportunity to explore Lanark’s shops, cafés and other heritage attractions including Wallace House, the Tolbooth and Lanark Museum.

Antonia Pompa, Discover Lanark Manager, said: “We’ve had incredibly positive feedback from visitors and participants alike. It was fantastic to see the town centre so busy, with such a tremendous atmosphere on a sunny day. We were especially pleased to welcome visitors from across the central belt and further afield, and we hope they enjoyed discovering Lanark — from its rich heritage to its excellent selection of shops and cafés.”