Description

16th century octagonal shaft (with replacement stone to middle). John Boyd, 1688, stepped octagonal capital with 4 heraldic shields (2 depicting Royal arms SE and SW; that facing NE depicting Douglas coat of arms; that to NW arms of Robert III and Annabella Drummond), enriched with roses; supporting cubical sundial; surmounted by unicorn bearing saltire. On modern stepped base with 20th century plaque to S.

Statement of Interest

This cross was moved to Townhall Street from the N end of the High Street in 1799; it was then later moved to its present site in 1974. RCAHMS correctly dates this cross to the 16th century. Stephen dates the cross to circa 1398. Likewise, an information plaque presented by the Showmen's Guild of Scotland dates the mercat cross circa 1400 and states that: "heraldic evidence indicates that this cross was erected around the time of the marriage of David, Duke of Rothesay, son of King Robert III and Queen Annabella Drummond to Marjorie, Daughter of the Earl of Douglas. The Unicorn finial was carved in 1688 by Mr John Boyd of South Queensferry to secure his admittance to the Inverkeithing Trades Guildry." Dials on market crosses became popular in the 17th century and other similar crosses were erected or altered at Airth, Peebles, and Doune (see separate listings) around this time. The cross has undergone restoration in the second half of the 20th century with a replacement stone for the shaft; the capital, sundial and unicorn have been re-painted.

Formerly a scheduled monument, scheduled on 17/11/1949 and descheduled 13/05/2016.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17569466

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.

Recommended Books

• 
  Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
• 
  Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)