What is a Mercat Cross? | Edinburgh History

As you walk up the Royal Mile towards St Giles’ Cathedral, you encounter a curious monument. Eight-sided, squat, with a tall column, all topped by a unicorn holding the Scottish flag. 

This is the Mercat Cross. It’s an Edinburgh hidden gem, in plain sight. 

 

What does ‘Mercat’ mean?

‘Mercat’ is the Scots word for market. 

Scots is a sister language to English, and one of the four official languages of Scotland. It’s most commonly spoken in the Scottish Lowlands, which includes Edinburgh and Glasgow. 

Historically, the Mercat Cross was a hub of activity. 

 

What was the Mercat Cross used for? 

18th-century visitors to Edinburgh could come to the Mercat Cross to find a caddie, or guide, to show them around the city. 

Originally, it was located a little further down the Royal Mile, its old location now marked by a cobblestone outline. It was reconstructed near St Giles in 1885 using the original pillar. The original medallions (representing royal arms and emblems) can be found at Sir Walter Scott’s house, Abbotsford. 

Exactly 100 years after its reconstruction, Mercat Tours began using it as the start point of our tours.

The Mercat Cross was also a place of morbid entertainment. It was here that capital punishment would be doled out. Perhaps you’ve heard the story of the Two Englishmen? 

Most importantly for the city, the Mercat Cross was the site for royal proclamations. Word of general elections, successions and the deaths of monarchs were shouted from the balcony. 

It’s a tradition that remains today. Watch below the Proclamation of King Charles III in September 2022. 

@mercattours Proclamation of King Charles III, Edinburgh. #edinburgh #edinburghscotland #kingcharlesiii #queenelizabeth #britishhistory #history #scotland ♬ original sound - Mercat Tours

Interestingly, there is always a three-day delay between an announcement in London and its proclamation here in Edinburgh. This dates back to the time it would take a messenger to travel this distance on horseback. 

In a time of instant communication, maintaining such a tradition connects us to hundreds of years of history.

 

Why is the Mercat Cross important?

The Mercat Cross is important to us for two reasons, in addition to its historical significance. 

Firstly, it’s where each of our tours begins.  

Secondly, it’s where we got our name. 

Just like visitors could go to the Mercat Cross in the 1700s to find a guide, so too can today’s visitors. From here, we explore the fascinating history of Edinburgh Old Town and the people who once lived here. 

 

Today, the Mercat Cross is an excellent place to grab a photograph before joining a tour. As we celebrate 40 years of Mercat Tours, the Mercat Cross celebrates centuries of further history. 

The week of our birthday, 1-7 July, you can join us for a special 40th anniversary tour of the two Mercat originals: Secrets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and Evening of Ghosts & Ghouls.