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The Mercat Cross in its cobbled square, Culross, with old houses around it.
Culross

Culross Mercat Cross

The market cross of Culross, crowned with a unicorn, in the little square where the cobbled streets meet.

Welcome

The Mercat Cross stands in the little cobbled square at the centre of Culross, where the streets from the shore, the palace and the abbey meet, and it is a good place to pause on a walk round the old burgh.

A market cross marked a Scottish town's right to hold a market, and this is where proclamations were read and the business of the burgh was done.

The cross dates from the 1600s and was rebuilt in 1902. Its square head carries the burgh's coat of arms, the initials and arms of the man who restored it, and a monogram for King James VI, and on top sits a unicorn, Scotland's national animal. Around it are some of the loveliest houses in Culross, many with red pantiled roofs, and the streets that climb away from it have appeared in Outlander. Stand here for a moment and it is easy to see why the town is called the most complete 17th-century burgh in Scotland.

Round the cornerThe Mercat, CulrossA café, provisions and homeware shop in an old butcher’s opposite the Mercat Cross in Culross.1 min by roadSee itThe Mercat, Culross
Before you go

In the open square; any time, free.

Open
Any time; free.
Where
The centre of Culross.
Where it is

The square, Culross.

Close byIn Culross.
  1. The Lockit Well set into a stone wall in Culross.The Lockit WellThe old well of Culross in the wall of Erskine Brae, whose lever could be locked, marked by a blue plaque.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Pink, white and ochre cottages line a narrow cobbled street in the rainTanhouse BraeA steep cobbled street of colourful houses in Culross, once the burgh's shoemaking quarter.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. Culross PalaceCulross PalaceThe ochre-coloured merchant's house of 1597 at the heart of Culross, with painted ceilings, panelled rooms and a 17th-century garden.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. The Cat's Close street sign on an old stone wall.Cats CloseA narrow walled lane climbing between high stone walls in Culross, once the way up to the abbey.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. The Red Lion's whitewashed front and door on the cobbles of Culross.The Red Lion, CulrossA community-owned inn on Low Causeway in Culross, serving food every day from noon until nine.Under a mile 1 min by road
Directions
CafeThe Mercat, CulrossA step away
Ochre gabled houses overlook a walled garden with clipped topiary and gravel pathsAttractionsThe Hanging Gardens CulrossA step away
The Gallery at Culross on its street in the old burgh.ShoppingThe Gallery at CulrossA step away
The Culross Town House, a grey stone tolbooth with a tower, facing the Forth.AttractionsCulross TolboothA step away
Haggs Wynd climbing past the palace wall.AttractionsHaggs Wynd Culross0.2 miles
Parleyhill House's curved gable with its two oval attic windows, Culross.AttractionsThe House with the Evil Eyes0.2 miles
Ruined stone walls and arches beside a church tower with a Saltire flagAttractionsCulross Abbey0.2 miles
The alabaster monument to Sir George Bruce with his children kneeling before it, Culross Abbey.AttractionsThe Bruce Vault, Culross Abbey0.2 miles
Cochrane's bust with the Scottish and Chilean flags behind.AttractionsAdmiral Thomas Cochrane Statue Culross0.2 miles
The Daily for 20 October, from Scotland with love. The broken stone walls of a lochside castle rise from a small tree-covered island, autumn foliage glowing orange against the dark water and forested hillside beyond.

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the cross, and when each is next free.

A grand stone mansion with multiple gables and chimneys stands behind a lawn set with wicker chairs, seen through overhanging leaves.Cromlix
  • To stay
  • In Kinbuck
  • 18 miles from the Mercat Cross
Check datesWest End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Culross
  • 18 miles from the Mercat Cross
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • 18 miles from the Mercat Cross
Check datesA landscape view of Whitehill on its hill: the steadings, the farmhouse and its red-roofed wing in low sun across a field of young crop.Whitehill Farm House
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Auchterarder
  • 19 miles from the Mercat Cross
Free 20–24 OctPlaces to stayEvery stay in CulrossAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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