THIS week, the team at the Live Borders Museum and Gallery, Tweeddale Museum in Peebles look at the history of the Market Cross in the town. 

ORIGINALLY the Market Cross of Peebles would have stood somewhere near the top of the Old Town, possibly opposite Young Street. 

The Cross marked the site of the market where local people could sell their goods and produce, a right granted to Peebles as a Royal Burgh in the 12th Century by King David I. 

The Cross also marked an important public space where Royal proclamations were read and the local gentry assembled to drink his majesty’s health on the King’s birthday.

The Royal toast was celebrated for the last time in 1807 when the Town Council decreed that the Cross, which then stood near its present site at the junction of the High Street, Eastgate and Northgate, should “be taken down and removed and the whole materials sold by public roup (auction).” 

The Cross was however saved by Sir John Hay and then re-erected at Kingsmeadows House in Peebles.

When the Chambers Institution was built in 1858, Sir Adam Hay returned the Cross to the Burgh and it was re-erected in the centre of the quadrangle (pictured). 

It remained there until it was restored to its original site in the High street in 1895 by Major William Thorburn of Craigerne.

Between 1964 and 1965, a new octagonal plinth and pedestal were built to prevent obstruction to traffic and provide a safe island from which pedestrians can view this ancient Cross.

The octagonal 15th century shaft is about 12ft in height, and shows the small plain shields placed alternately on each face; the capital, also octagonal has traces of ornament on its top, is richly carved. 

Its sides are also panelled, each containing alternately a quatrefoil and a shield.

The much worn shields display the Burgh arms of Peebles and possibly also those of the Frasers of Oliver and Neidpath.

The sundial is dated 1699 at its corners and the copper weathervane has the year 1662 marked on it.