Alternative Names High Street; Townhall Street
Site type MARKET CROSS, SUNDIAL
Canmore ID 50971
Site Number NT18SW 5
NGR NT 13010 82872
Council FIFE
Parish INVERKEITHING
Former Region FIFE
Former District DUNFERMLINE
Former County FIFE

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Archaeological Notes

NT18SW 5 13010 82872 (moved from NT 13035 82906)

(NT 1303 8290) Cross (NR)
OS 25" map (1927)

The Market Cross, Inverkeithing, was re-erected in its present position in Townhall Street in 1799. Prior to then, it was situated at the N end of High Street just S of the Townhall Street opening.
The octagonal shaft rises from a base which rests on two circular steps, evidently the work of 1799. Affixed to an iron band round the shaft is the staple for the jougs or the branks. The shaft terminates in a capital of the same form, bearing four shields of arms. Above the capital is a series of four sundials and on the summit stands a unicorn carrying a shield with the Cross of St Andrew.
The sundials appear to be later than the shaft and capital. The unicorn dates from 1688.
W Stephen 1921; Burgh Records 8 July 1796

This market cross is adequately described by the preceding authorities; it is in good condition. The heraldic work has been painted.
Visited by OS (AC) 12 March 1959

Cross has been moved to NT 1301 8287.
Visited by OS Reviser May 1978.

Mercat Cross. Octagonal shaft on which have been set iron rings (? for jougs). The moulded capital bears four shields, their heraldry including the arms of Douglas and of Robert III and his queen, suggesting a date of 1398, the year in which Robert's heir, David, Duke of Rothesay, married Mary Douglas. Sundial and unicorn finial added 1688.
J Gifford 1988.

Architectural Notes

NT18SW 5 13010 82872 (moved from NT 13035 82906)

Architect: James Gillespie Graham, 1826 (rebuilding).

Drummond, J (1863) 'Notice of some stone crosses, with especial reference to the market crosses of Scotland', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, vol.4
Page(s): 92 pl. 2

Gifford, McWilliam,and Walker, J, C.E., and D. (1988) Edinburgh, The buildings of Scotland series London
Page(s): 251 Held at RCAHMS Quick

Kerr, H F (1905a) 'Inverkeithing', Trans Edinburgh Architect Ass, vol.3
Page(s): 79

MacGibbon and Ross, D and T (1887-92) The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth centuries, 5v Edinburgh
Page(s): vol. 5, 395, 397 Held at RCAHMS F.5.21.MAC

RCAHMS (1933) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Eleventh report with inventory of monuments and constructions in the counties of Fife, Kinross, and Clackmannan Edinburgh
Page(s): 159, no. 285 Held at RCAHMS A.1.1.INV/11

Simpson and Stevenson, A T and S (1981t) Historic Inverkeithing: the archaeological implications of development, Scottish burgh survey series {Glasgow}
Page(s): 6 Held at RCAHMS C.3.3.BUR

Small, J W (1900) Scottish market crosses, Stirling
Page(s): pl.19 Held at RCAHMS D.4

Stephen, W (1921) History of Inverkeithing and Rosyth, Aberdeen
Page(s): 23-4 Held at RCAHMS D.4.2.INV