Mercat Cross

The tall pillar topped with the figure of a Unicorn representing Scotland is the Mercat (or Market) Cross.

Historically the Cross was the site at which proclamations and announcements were made by the Town Crier.

The cross has been refurbished and moved a number of times over the centuries - most recently in 2022.

The oldest part of the cross is the pillar which dates back to the 17th century.

Crail Mercat Cross features in the novel "The Jacobite Grenadier" by Gavin Wood. In 1745, after the battle of Prestonpans, Patrick Lindesay of Wormiston returns to Crail and proclaims the "Old Pretender" as James VIII of Scotland at the Mercat Cross.

Cross the road to the north side of Marketgate but continue in the same direction away from the museum.