The first Scottish Air Meeting took place in 1910 over eight days and was only the second international flight meeting to be held in Britain. Attracting a staggering quarter of a million visitors, aviators from America, Britain, France, Holland, Italy, Peru and Switzerland wowed the crowds and competed for various prizes. To cope with the demand, a train station was constructed purely for the event.
The community wanted to mark the centenary of this historic event, which led to the formation of the Royal Flying Corps and subsequently the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918. Thanks to Valencia Communities Fund and South Lanarkshire Council £35,000 was awarded in order to create a lasting memorial.
Leading sculptors, including the creator of The Angel of the North, Antony Gormley, and the artist behind Glasgow's famous M8 Clydesdale horse, Andy Scott, were asked to come up with plans for a similarly iconic 'statue' for Lanark. The statue was erected on the former railway embankment at the entry to Lanark Loch and was created by artist blacksmiths, P.Johnson & Company.
"We're delighted with the final results, which form a dramatic reminder of the role Lanark had in the foundation of the RAF. The bulbs we have planted form a blue and white runway for the Spirit of Flight memorial in the spring, whilst others form the RAF roundel." Sylvia Russell, chair of the Lanark Air Show Committee.
