Market Cross, Edinburgh

Category

Library Item

Item no

2875

Title

Market Cross, Edinburgh

Description

The City Chambers and Mercat Cross on the High Street, Edinburgh. The Mercat Cross has a unicorn sculpture at the top of a column and heraldic symbols carved into the stonework. Children sit beside the cross and a horse-drawn carriage is nearby. Shops have canopies over their windows. The Royal Exchange Hotel can be seen to the right-hand side.

Artist / maker

Wilson, George Washington

Date

1880

Size

16.8 x 25.1 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Edinburgh's Marrket 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 Market 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

Business > Service industry > Shops

Government > Local > City and town halls

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Royal Mile

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Sport and leisure > Public accommodation facilities > Hotels

(55°56′58″N, 3°11′29″W)

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