Mercat Cross, Old Town, Galashiels

Heritage listing

Category C Date Added 12/03/1971 Supplementary Information Updated 14/11/2006 Local Authority Scottish Borders Planning Authority Scottish Borders Burgh Galashiels NGR NT 49271 35774 Coordinates 349271, 635774 — Dated 1695, restored 1887 and 1987. Corniced octagonal red sandstone shaft capped with squared ball finial sundial with wrought iron dated flag on 3-stage stepped and shouldered base plinth. 1930s bronze plaques by George Hope Tait. — The mercat cross has a strong historical significance to old Galashiels, prominently sited on the corner of Scott Crescent and Elm Row at the centre of the Old Town alongside the Tollbooth (demolished 1880). Although altered, it maintains an important historical link with the old town and the adjacent Old Cloth hall, the few remaining structures to the area which was comprehensively redeveloped in the 1960s. The cross was re-erected on the stepped base in 1887 as part of a restoration scheme. Further works were carried out in 1987, involving stone replacement; part of the original shaft of the cross is now sited in the museum of Old Gala House. As a result of the later works the cross is now sited on a traffic island on a busy crossroads. Category changed from B to C(S) 2006.

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.