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Shire Extra for lanarkshire Shire Extra Across Lanarkshire
Lanark’s High Street has fourteen “closes” that lead from the main thoroughfare to the backstreets and car parks behind the town’s shops and businesses. With one exception, the closes are narrow and enclosed lanes between the town centre buildings, with each given a name to reflect their purpose or a moment of the town’s history.
After many years of neglect and lack of maintenance, the closes fell into disrepair. Some were vandalised and most were dark, smelly and unpleasant to walk through. However, from the late 1990’s, all of them underwent renovations, with some being painted and fitted with improved lighting. All of them were given name signages and most were provided with a plaque to give details about them, as part of the town’s historical trail.
Veitch’s Close is near the bottom of the High Street, close to The Tolbooth building. It was named after local businessman Robert Veitch who opened a bakery at the end of the close in 1886.
In 2018, the close was given a “makeover,” with mural paintings that depict key moments of one of Lanark’s most famous residents, William Wallace. The work was done by artist Ali Smith and Glasgow’s Art Pistol.
To visit Art Pistol’s website, click HERE.
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