THE VILLAGE CROSS

THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE CROSS IS UNKNOWN.

ITS APPEARANCE SUGGESTS THAT IT WAS ORIGINALY SET UP IN THE  FIFTEENTH CENTURY AS A TOWN CROSS.

AN ACCOUNT PUBLISHED IN 1792 REFERS TO ITS ANCIENT APPEARANCE AND DESCRIBES IT AS BEING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET.

TOWN CROSSES PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN MEDIAEVAL SCOTLAND AS A FOCAL POINT FOR COMMUNITY LIFE INCLUDING THE PUBLIC EXPOSURE OF MALEFACTORS.

THE STAPLES BY WHICH THEIR CHAINS WERE ATTACHED TO THE CROSS ARE STILL TO BE SEEN.

THE SHIELD ON THE FACE OF THE SHAFT MUST ORIGINALLY HAVE BEEN EMBLAZONED WITH THE ROYAL ARMS OR WITH ARMS OF THE DONOR