Mercat Cross

Welcome to the Mercat Cross, an iconic landmark situated in the heart of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. While we are currently in the High Street section of the city, the name 'Mercat' is the Scots word for market, signaling that this…

Let us begin by examining the base of the Mercat Cross. It is octagonal in shape, a design that provided a sturdy platform for the officials who would stand atop it to read the news. …

Look up to the very top of the shaft, and you will see the armorial bearer of Scotland: the Unicorn. In Scottish heraldry, the unicorn is a symbol of purity, strength, and untamable spirit. …

The Mercat Cross was, for centuries, the 'Twitter' of its day. This is where all official news was disseminated to the public. …

The Mercat Cross does not stand in isolation; it is flanked by two of the city's most important religious and civic structures. Just behind us is St. …

Just a short walk from the Mercat Cross, marked on the pavement in brass and stone, is the 'Heart of Midlothian.' This marks the entrance to the old Edinburgh Tollbooth, a building that served as a prison, courthouse, and city…

Today, the Mercat Cross continues to be a vibrant part of the city's life. It is the starting point for many of the city's most famous walking tours, including 'Mercat Tours,' which takes its name and inspiration from this very…

As our exploration of the Mercat Cross concludes, I hope you have felt the pulse of Edinburgh’s history beating in this stone. We have traveled from the fourteenth-century charters to the Victorian reconstruction, exploring the…