The Mercat Cross (Skelton)

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1s cross RH, cast 1 place, set and ½ turn LH to face 1st corners
9-16 1s dance diagonal reel of 4 with 1st corners
17-24 1s give LH to partner and RH to 1st corner and Balance-in-Line, 1s and 1st corners turn right about and Balance-in-Line, 1s turn RH to face 2nd corners
25-32 1s dance diagonal reel of 4 with 2nd corners
33-40 1s give LH to partner and RH to 2nd corner and Balance-in-Line, 1s and 2nd corners turn right about and Balance-in-Line, 1s turn RH to 2nd place own sides
41-48 1s set, cast 1 place; 1s+4s set and link

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)

Dance Information

A mercat cross is a historic structure found in Scottish towns and cities, symbolizing the right to hold a market or fair. Typically located in town squares or central marketplaces, these crosses were important focal points for trade and public gatherings.

The structures often feature a tall, decorated pillar mounted on a platform, and they served as places for proclamations, legal announcements, and communal events. Many mercat crosses date back to the medieval period, reflecting the town's legal status and commercial rights, though some have been restored or replaced over time. Today, they are viewed as important symbols of Scottish heritage and civic identity.

Despite the name, the typical mercat cross is not actually cruciform - variations range from a short pole stuck in the ground to the grand pillar rising out of the "cross house" in Edinburgh.

One Of The Finest Examples Of A Mercat Cross Is In Inverkeithing In Fife

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