Mercat Cross

The Mercat Cross marks the moment in history when Old Aberdeen became a Burgh of Barony – a type of Scottish town – in the late 15th century. Only a fragment of the original design now survives, but records from 1724 suggest it had an image of the Virgin engraved on the north and south sides of the top of the cross, alongside coats of arms of the Kings of Scotland and Bishops Dunbar, Stewart and Gordon. The cross was sold in 1788 by the Council of Old Aberdeen but a fragment of the remains resurfaced in a smithy in 1841. In 1951, this fragment was erected in front of St Mary’s Church on High Street, but was later transferred to its original spot in Castle Street in 1993.