Location
High Street, Stonehaven, adjacent to Old Town House & Clock on the way from the town centre to the harbour.
Stonehaven, Kincardine
OS Map Reference
NO 877 855
Date
C 1645
Description
It is a simple stone-shafted cross, square at base but splayed above, resting on an octagonal base. The head of the cross was replaced by the present one which bears the Marischal Arms in 1887 when it was remodelled for Queen Victoria's golden jubilee visit.
The public barometer installed in 1852 on wall of Old Town House (1790, datestone over door) can be seen in the background of the top photograph. The town house clock tower is itself of interest; dated 1790; 4 stage, 1 window each face, quoined ashlar; cross-pattern timber balustrade, octagonal timber belfry stage with semi-elliptical triple key blocked openings, lead spire with weathercock; pedimented clock dated 1896; built by public subscription.
Related Information
Remodelled for Queen Victoria's golden jubilee visit in1887.
Like many Mercat crosses it has wandered; the cross was removed the short distance from its original site (NO 8766 8551 ) to its present site at NO 8765 8551 some time before 1864.
It is the gathering place for the famous Hogmanay fireball ceremony.
On October 28th 1651 proclamation was made from the Cross, of the attempt by the Commonwealth to incorporate Scotland with England and called upon the burgh of Stonehaven to elect representatives of integrity disposed to the welfare and peace to appear at Dalkeith to agree to the proposed Union. In the winter of 1715 one of the most fateful proclamations was made when the "Old Pretender" was declared King James VIII by John Maule the local Procurator-fiscal. From http://www.stonehaven-heritage.org
Era
1600s
Information Source
Aberdeenshire Sites and Monuments Record www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/archaeology/smr/
RCAHMS http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/
and www.stonehaven-heritage.org
Categories
Iconography
- heraldic motifs
Photographer
- Mark Woodfin
Unavailable Data
- Related Artefacts
- Creator
- External Links
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