2017
NT0987 : Market Cross, Dunfermline High Street
taken 7 years ago, near to Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland

Market Cross, Dunfermline High Street
Grade B listed (LB26003 Link
Historic Scotland) sandstone market cross on the north side of Dunfermline High Street, outside the Clydesdale Bank. The cross stands on a stepped octagonal base (inscribed 'RE-ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION ... AUGUST 1868'). It has a circular shaft surmounted by carved unicorn with a Scottish shield on square pedestal. There are heraldic carvings to each side of this pedestal, including the burgh arms of Dunfermline; shield with lion rampant to front. There are foliate carvings to underside of pedestal.
The base and decorative head of the cross probably date from the re-erection of the cross in 1868. (It had been removed and the pillar built into the wall of a nearby house in 1752) but It is possible that the unicorn may be a much restored 17th century carving from the original cross. The market cross was resited in this position (believed to have been its original one of 1396) in 1992 and a new shaft was incorporated at that time, replacing the original shaft dated 1695.

The base and decorative head of the cross probably date from the re-erection of the cross in 1868. (It had been removed and the pillar built into the wall of a nearby house in 1752) but It is possible that the unicorn may be a much restored 17th century carving from the original cross. The market cross was resited in this position (believed to have been its original one of 1396) in 1992 and a new shaft was incorporated at that time, replacing the original shaft dated 1695.