Jurassic Lanark: Adventure and thrills millions of years in the making

The Herald Scotland

14-07-2025

The centrepiece, the Monster Trail, winds through the town centre and Castlebank Park, where explorers come face-to-face with ferocious carnivores such as Tyrannosaurus Rex, Spinosaurus and Velociraptor, as well as the gentle giants Triceratops and Brachiosaurus.
Younger adventurers can also tackle the Mini Trail, a bite-sized route past town shop windows hiding dinosaur clues.
Participants completing the trails earn the coveted Jurassic Lanark Badge, marking them a certified dinosaur hunter. They can also enter a Prize Draw to win a Bumper Dino Bundle packed with goodies by returning their completed map when collecting their badges at the town's Tolbooth.
'This is the fifth Jurassic Lanark event and each has been timed perfectly for the school summer holidays,' says Discover Lanark Manager Antonia Pompa.
'We wanted to offer a fun trail where we can create scenes in some of the smaller spaces around our local streets. There is something quite magical about seeing dinosaurs so out of context – you certainly don't expect to see them in the town centre.
'The second part of our Monster Trail is in Castlebank Park where you might expect to find activities such as this. It's a lovely park with a picnic area, Fairy Dell and play area, and certainly adds a lot to the event.'
Participants can pick up their free trail map at the Tolbooth Lanark (ML11 7EX), open daily from 10am to 5pm. Volunteers are on hand to offer helpful tips and route advice. Digital trail maps are also available for download, allowing adventurers to plan their expedition in advance.
Each Saturday and Sunday, from 11am to 3pm, Castlebank Park is the place for youngsters to meet baby dinos Trixie and Tom and have their photo taken with Roary the mascot. Storytelling and games are all part of the free activity programme.
'There is something about dinosaurs that fascinates children,' says Antonia. 'They are so knowledgeable about them at a young age and I'm astounded by youngsters who can name all the dinosaurs. Let's be honest: they're not names that trip off the tongue.
'Children really get something out of finding out more. The timing of the Jurassic World Rebirth movie is just good luck but it's nice to have it out there. There are also the BBC programmes so people are really interested in dinosaurs and learning more about them.'
Antonia notes the physical reality of Lanark's dinosaurs takes them beyond the screen for youngsters.
'Children are really excited by them. Sometimes they're really surprised by the animatronic ones – they don't expect to be growled at but it's also the sheer size of the models that bring them to life.'
Last year no fewer than 6,500 trail maps were handed out and this year the event looks to be just as popular.
'It's a slightly weather dependent event because the majority of it is outdoors and it's more enjoyable to stop and look at things and read the information on the signs when the weather is good,' says Antonia. 'But there are plenty of dinosaur hunters who have arrived with their wet weather gear. There are often dinosaurs on the children's clothes and that's just brilliant to see. They really do enter into the spirit of it.'
As Lanark is a Business Improvement District, it's hoped the event will also encourage visitors to discover more of what the town has to offer.
'This is a free event but we hope people will pop into our cafés and shops and make some purchases,' says Antonia. 'Some of the businesses, particularly the charity shops, save up all their dinosaur goodies and pop them out on display – it's really nice to see people going in and coming out with little mementos of their day.'
So, whether you're a budding palaeontologist or just up for summer fun with a big difference, pack your explorer hat and grab a trail map before Lanark's dinosaurs find you first!
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