Drawing of the Market Cross Edinburgh

Category

Library Item

Item no

2166

Title

Drawing of the Market Cross Edinburgh made by R Morham about 1860

Description

A photograph of a drawing of the Mercat Cross in Edinburgh. Around the base of the structure are carvings which include coats of arms. There is a doorway that leads in to the base of the structure. On top of a column rising up from the centre of the base is a unicorn.

Artist / maker

Morham, Robert

Date

1885

Size

15.1 x 10.2 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Edinburgh's Mercat Cross stands at the east end of St Giles Kirk on the High Street. The original cross stood nearby but was dismantled in 1756 and taken to Drum House. William Gladstone instigated the erection of the current cross in 1885, which incorporates some parts from its much larger predecessor. The Mercat Cross is the traditional centre of the city market, a meeting place for merchants, a place of execution and the site of official proclamations.

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Related subjects

Business > Service industry > Mercat Crosses

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Royal Mile

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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