Peebles, High Street, Market Cross

NT24SE 2 25305 40477.

(NT 2529 4047) Site of (NAT) Market Cross (NR)

OS 25" map (1856)

Cross (NAT)

OS 25" map (1965)

Peebles Market Cross formerly stood at the intersection of the High Street, Northgate and Eastgate. In 1807 it was demolished, having become ruinous, but the shaft and head were given to Sir J Hay, who re-erected them at Kinsmeadows, where the cross stood in 1856 (Name Book 1856). In 1859 it was returned to the town by Sir A Hay, and placed in the centre of the quadrangle of the Chambers Institute (W Chambers 1864). In 1895, the cross was re-erected on its original site, on another pedestal; then in 1964-5 the cross was removed to its present position, a few yards E of the former one, and mounted on a new pedestal.

The shaft is octagonal in section, and every other side displays a small plain shield; the capital, also octagonal, is richly carved. Both shaft and capital have the appearance of being 15th c work; they are composed of sandstone.

Above the capital is a facetted sundial, dated 1699, surmounted by a copper weather-vane dated 1662. The incorporation of the Fraser coat of arms in the capital suggests that the cross may in fact be a copy of an older cross, as the Frasers took little part in county affairs after the death of Sir Simon Fraser in 1306.

RCAHMS 1967, visited 1965; Peebles Official Guide 1961

As described.

Visited by OS (EGC) 2 March 1962 and (SFS) 17 September 1974