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Latitude: 55.869 / 55°52'8"N
Longitude: -4.5501 / 4°33'0"W
OS Eastings: 240533
OS Northings: 666924
OS Grid: NS405669
Mapcode National: GBR 3D.3BQ9
Mapcode Global: WH3NY.2RK3
Plus Code: 9C7QVC9X+JX
Entry Name: Mercat Cross, South Street, Houston
Listing Name: Houston Village, South Street, Mercat Cross
Listing Date: 10 June 1971
Category: B
Source: Historic Scotland
Source ID: 345578
Historic Scotland Designation Reference: LB12697
Building Class: Cultural
Also known as: Houston, South Street, Mercat Cross
ID on this website: 200345578
Location: Houston and Killellan
County: Renfrewshire
Electoral Ward: Houston, Crosslee and Linwood
Parish: Houston And Killellan
Traditional County: Renfrewshire
Tagged with: Market cross Architectural structure
Mercat cross in prominent position with probable 14th century stepped plinth and dated 1713 headpiece. Square-plan chamfered shaft with square headpiece with sundial markings and gnomons on each face; ball finial. Surmounted on 3-stepped base.
An important part of the history of Houston, the mercat cross is situated in a prominent position in the main street and adds significantly to the streetscape of the town.
Originally situated at Kirk Road, near the church to the East of the present village, the cross was moved to its present position when the new planned town of Houston was built after 1781.
Mercat crosses were important structures in many Scottish towns as they were focal ponts for trading and public announcements. Many were also the place where punishments were meted out. Sundials at the top of a single shaft, as here, was a common form.
List description updated 2010.
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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