A Historic Centre

Glasgow's Mercat Cross may not be as old as it appears but it's still seen many changes, along with an ebb and flow in prosperity

- CLAIRE MACAULAY

IN the centre of Scotland's largest city lies a historical hub with a proudly beating heart. From the nucleus that is Glasgow Cross, five key streets stretch outwards across the city: High Street, Gallowgate, London Road, Saltmarket and Trongate.

Standing proudly at the southeastern corner of the intersection, the short-but-mighty Mercat Cross featured on a January 1947 cover of The Scots Magazine. As the name (Scots for "market") suggests, structures like this were erected in the early medieval period to designate areas where markets and public meetings were held.

It may be a surprise to learn that this image, captured a mere two years after the end of the Second World War, does not show an authentic medieval structure at all. The original Mercat Cross was pulled down in 1659, and in 1930 this impressive replica was built.

Being just 17 years old at the time of this photo, Mercat Cross would not have been able to frequent the well-loved watering holes that frame the cross, such as The Tolbooth. Perhaps the Val D'Oro would have been more its scene.