General view of Burgh Cross, Canongate, Edinburgh, from SE.

Description General view of Burgh Cross, Canongate, Edinburgh, from SE.

Date 24/4/2014

Collection Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu

Catalogue Number DP 188650

Category On-line Digital Images

Scope and Content This shows the Canongate Burgh Cross, which is situated in a paved enclosure within Canongate Kirk churchyard. The cross was originally sited in the middle of the Canongate in front of the Tolbooth (as shown on James Gordon of Rothiemay's map of Edinburgh from 1647), before being moved in 1737 to stand against the Tolbooth (noted on OS 1st edition six inch map of 1852) . The cross was heavily restored in 1888, when the octagonal shaft was placed on a new octagonal base and new capital and cross-head were added. At this time, the cross was moved again to the west side of the entrance to the kirkyard. The cross-head bears the arms of the former burgh of Canongate, and there is a cast-iron plaque on the Canongate-facing side, which also bears the burgh arms along with the dates 1128 and 1888. A later plaque below this reads 'Canongate Mercat Cross 1128'. The cross was moved to its present location in 1953 and in 2004 a statue of the poet Robert Fergusson was erected in its place to the east of the entrance gateway to the kirkyard. The burgh cross was a meeting place for merchants, and also for public proclamations and major public events such as executions. It once had chains and a metal collar, known as 'jougs' attached, which were used to secure criminals for public humiliation.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/1424592

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap