Inverkeithing Mercat Cross
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| Inverkeithing Mercat Cross | |
|---|---|
 Inverkeithing Mercat Cross | |
| Location | Bank Street, Inverkeithing |
| Coordinates | 56°01′51″N 3°23′52″W / 56.030802°N 3.397762°W |
| Built | c. 1398 |
Listed Building – Category A | |
| Official name | Bank Street, Mercat Cross |
| Designated | 11 December 1972 |
| Reference no. | LB35088 |
  Shown in Fife | |
Inverkeithing Mercat Cross dates from 1389, and is one of the oldest and finest remaining medieval mercat crosses in Scotland.[1][2] It is located in the town of Inverkeithing in Fife, and is a category A listed historic monument.[3]
The core of the Mercat Cross dates from 1398; it is believed to have been built as a memorial of the marriage between the Duke of Rothesay and the daughter of the Earl of Douglas.[4]
In the 16th century, the octagonal stone shaft was added, and in 1688 unicorn was carved by Mr John Boyd.[3]
Description
The cross features a carved unicorn of Scotland, featuring a sundial and holding a saltire flag.
The unicorn is supported on a base of four heraldic shields (two of the Royal arms of Scotland facing South East and South West; and that facing North East depicting Douglas coat of arms; and that to North West depicting the arms of King Robert III and Queen Annabella Drummond), interspaced with roses.[3]
The mercat cross is on a 16th-century octagonal shaft, with replacement stone to the middle.
Location
Originally, the cross stood on the north end of Inverkeithing High Street. It was moved to face the Inverkeithing Town Hall in 1799. Then in 1974, it was moved to the junction between Bank Street and High Street.[4][3]
In 2021, plans were announced to preserve and renovate the mercat cross and move it to a more prominent position in the Market Square, which was completed in 2026.[5]
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