ABOUT THE LECTURE

From imposing structures such as those of Edinburgh and Aberdeen, to simpler versions such as that of Scone, many of these Crosses date from the Middle Ages, or earlier. They have been, or in some cases still are, centres of life in all its forms, including market and trading places, and venues for proclamations and punishment. 

Please note, this lecture is taking place in the Princess Royal Suite located on Level B3.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Roddy Martine, who lives in Edinburgh, is the author of thirty-two books: they include *Scottish Clan & Family Names – Their Arms, Origins & Tartans *(1987); The Shell Guide to the South of Scotland (1989); Scotland, The Land and the Whisky (1994); Secrets of Rosslyn (2006); Clans & Tartans of Scotland (2022); and Demarco’s Edinburgh (2023). In addition to having been a columnist with five national newspapers during the 1990s, he has edited several life-style publications including Scottish Field and Scotland Magazine. For his involvement with the Scotch Whisky Industry as Editor of The Keeper Magazine, he was made a Master of the Quaich in 2006.

Dr Charles Kinder Bradbury is a retired industrial chemist and an assiduous author and publisher. He is a past winner of the DTI Smart Award for Innovation, Stages I and II. He has a doctorate in Chemistry (2012) from the University of York, and for 22 years he ran his own chemical company in Fife, where he now resides. He has written, co-authored or edited six books in Braykc Publishing’s Heritage Series, notably Carnegie Heritage (2021). The present book represents a departure from this Series, not only because of the smaller format, but because humour through caricatures is a key component.

FOREWORD FROM THE BOOK

by Dr Joseph J Morrow, CVO, CBE, QC, FRSE: The Rt Hon Lord Lyon King of Arms

I am delighted to see the publication of this book, “The Meerkat Crosses of Scotland”, which captures an often-forgotten part of the architecture of our towns and cities. The “Mercat Cross” has in fact long been a very significant construction and centre of what might be called the ‘social media’ of its time. The Proclamation of a new monarch was done in many communities through this structure by those who were charged to perform that task. In September 2022, I was honoured to make the proclamation for King Charles Ill at the Mercat Cross in Edinburgh.

The Mercat Crosses are often freestanding pillars with a platform and would draw crowds in times gone by and even today, and they were also used in the past to administer the punishment of offenders. For centuries the Mercat Crosses have been at the centre of how social messages were sent out to many different parts of our communities. It is a wonderful thing that they continue to fulfil this function today.

The Mercat Cross is still alive and is being used to create history in our present day, and the stories that surround these structures will continue to bring life to those who visit them and to the events they have witnessed. There are so many good examples of Mercat Crosses to share, and the authors of this book have employed a fresh and most appropriately contemporary way to share their knowledge with the wider community, bringing the subject to our attention by using the well-known media figure of the Meerkat.

Congratulations to all the authors for their hard work and imagination in producing this book. It will engage many through its text and illustrations and will contribute to our increasing knowledge of the history of our communities. I believe the style of this book to be inspired and that it will help future generations to understand the significance of Mercat Crosses. Well done to the authors!

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER

**Braykc Publishing **is an independent organisation, specialising in high quality illustrated books with a focus on historical heritage.

I encourage you to have a look at their other publications, one of which was featured in an evening lecture here at the Club in February 2024.

Brothers of Steell: https://www.braykcpublishing.com/Steell.htm

Carnegie Heritage: https://www.braykcpublishing.com/Carnegie.htm

*Tales from the Chemistry Lounge: *https://www.braykcpublishing.com/Convenery

The Incorporated Trades of Edinburgh: https://www.braykcpublishing.com/Trades

*Stewart Heritage: *https://www.braykcpublishing.com/Stewart

Bradbury Heritage: https://www.braykcpublishing.com/Bradbury

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