Mercat Cross

The Mercat Cross stands on the High Street in Edinburgh's Old Town, Scotland, immediately beside the south-east corner of St Giles' Cathedral. Mercat crosses were found in many Scottish burghs and marked the right to hold a market, but Edinburgh's served an additional civic role as the platform where official announcements were made. Heralds read royal proclamations, declarations of war, acts of Parliament and the accession of new monarchs from the cross, and it was also used for public executions and punishments in earlier centuries. The earlier cross stood in different positions on the High Street over time and was removed in 1756. The present structure was reconstructed in 1885 with funds from William Gladstone, incorporating the original shaft, and includes a hexagonal base with a platform, a decorated column and a unicorn finial. The unicorn is a heraldic symbol of Scotland. Public proclamations are still made from the cross by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the senior Scottish officer of arms, most recently on the accession of King Charles III in 2022. Unlike an indoor museum, the monument has no formal exhibition and is an outdoor feature on the Royal Mile that can be viewed at all times. It is small and best appreciated with some historical context, so visitors often combine it with St Giles' Cathedral and the Real Mary King's Close, which lie within a few steps. The stonework is maintained by the city council and is in good condition. Interpretation is limited to the plaques and the spot's place within the surrounding Parliament Square area.