The Mercat Cross

The Mercat Cross stands in the Centre of the High Street.

It is in the gothic style of architecture and is forty feet high and bears a marked resemblance to Sir Walter Scott's Monument in Edinburgh.

It rests on a square base from which rise five octagonal pillars, one from each corner and one from centre. &nbsp These are joined at the top by transverse arches. &nbsp

The corner pillars on the second section are finished with sculptured turrets. &nbsp

The third section is similar but smaller than the second, and has eight carved pinnacles whilst the fourth section consists of a shaft of about four feet in height surmounted by a Cross.

'The Annals of Forres' by RA Douglas M.A., M.D., D.P.H. &nbsp published in 1934 and now, sadly, out of print, tells us that:-
"This Cross was erected in 1844, by public subscription, from designs of Thomas Mackenzie, Elgin. &nbsp Provost Urquhart laid the foundation stone on 19th February 1844, in presence of the Magistrates, the architect, and many respectable inhabitants of the Burgh. &nbsp The basement stone of the old Cross was not removed from the spot where it originally stood and it is now in the heart of the new Cross. &nbsp

It had a square cavity in the centre in which the stone pillar had formerly been inserted. &nbsp This was cleared out and the bottom hermetically sealed containing the coins of that period, six copies of "Forres Gazette," a copy of "Elgin Courant," and ''Russell's Register."

On 6th January 1857, the Market Cross was damaged by a gale, and repairs to the extent of £11 were undertaken, or at least approved of. &nbsp A later entry in the Minute of 1st June, 1857, states that the repairs to the Cross are now completed, costing £6 10 shillings. &nbsp

On 3rd April, 1876, the Town Council instructed Mr Milne, architect, to inspect and report on the Town Cross with a view to its immediate repair. &nbsp

On 12th February, 1877, it is recorded that the repair of the Town Cross cost £36 10 shillings. &nbsp On 9th December, 1895, it was decided to spend £17 on the repair of the Market Cross and some lead on the Tower at Cluny Hill. &nbsp Ultimately they advertise the work, but the whole cost amounted to £27.

8th May, 1922. &nbsp It was found that owing to the damage from vibration of heavy engine traffic, etc., cracks had appeared in the structure of the Cross. &nbsp It was then decided that the Cross must be partly taken down and rebuilt. &nbsp This was done at an expense of about £249 10 shillings.