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Kirkintilloch, Market Cross
Market Cross (17th Century)
Site Name Kirkintilloch, Market Cross
Classification Market Cross (17th Century)
Canmore ID 45198
Site Number NS67SE 1
NGR NS 6524 7411
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/45198
- Council East Dunbartonshire
- Parish Kirkintilloch (Strathkelvin)
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Strathkelvin
- Former County Dunbartonshire
NS67SE 1 6524 7411.
Kirkintilloch Market Cross, which existed for several centuries, was maliciously destroyed in 1815 by local vandals. It appears to have been an octagonal pillar with steps. It was removed to the Luggie for safety and put in the bed of the river behind the old mill dam near to where the stream joins the Kelvin. Since the sewer pipes were laid there all trace of the stone has been lost.
J Horne 1910.
Area centred NS 6524 7411. This area of the Town is still known as 'The Cross'.
Visited by OS (V E L) 10 March 1954.
No further information obtained during field investigation.
Visited by OS (J F C) 19 February 1954.
Publication Account (2009)
In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and probably long before, Kirkintilloch’s market cross stood in front of the old tolbooth, and the locality is still known as ‘The Cross’ (fig 29.7). The burgh’s markets and fairs were held at the market cross, and regulations were enacted to ensure fair trading there. In addition, a regular lint market was held in Eastside from at least the eighteenth century. In 1815 the cross was ‘wantonly and maliciously’ overturned by vandals. Presumably this was the same cross that had been standing for centuries; certainly contemporaries referred to it as the Old Cross Stone. The remnants of the cross were, ‘for safety’, placed in the bed of the Luggie, apparently near where the stream joins the Kelvin. No traces can now be found, but local reminiscences suggest the cross was ‘an octangular pillar abundantly provided with steps and stones’.
Information from ‘The Scottish Burgh Survey, Historic Kilsyth: Archaeology and Development’ (2009).
