Voices of the Mercat Cross
Read the memories, frustrations, and demands of hundreds of residents standing up to protect Dunfermline’s heritage.
Council Neglect & Action
"It’s part of our towns history, I feel we have a duty to take care of it. The council have their priorities all wrong, spending over a million pound on a concrete , depressing eyesore that no one asked for while allowing our town, high street, historical landmarks to fall into disrepair , walking up the high street is depressing, it’s tinky looking, dirty, no decent shops, lots of Turkish barbers!!!! Lots of nail bars where English isn’t spoken and lots of charity shops, unacceptable and shows how the people of this city are seen as invisible by this council. not they are uninterested, incompetent and the state of our so called city is a disgrace. I am sadly embarrassed to say I belong here. "
Council Neglect & Action
"It is part of the High Street which used to be a lovely street but is now a’midden’.
The plant pots are a disgrace, street lamps are filthy.
No flowers to be seen.
Shops should be given funds also to paint their exterior.
All of this would improve the High Street.
Not the ridiculous mess they are currently wasting money on. "
Council Neglect & Action
"The town centre should be centred around the Cross. Leaving it damaged for such a long period reflects poorly on the town as a whole.
More broadly, the High Street appears increasingly neglected, with much of the street furniture and paving now in need of renewal. Restoring the Cross would be a relatively quick and visible improvement, and should therefore be treated as a priority.
"
Council Neglect & Action
"As said its a historical meeting place that has been neglected. All our family immediately know what you mean when you say the cross in the High Street. Place where you gather to welcome in the New Year."
Council Neglect & Action
"Important part of history for the city of Dunfermline. Tourists visit due to all the history and this looks disgraceful. It’s sad that Fife council again do not care about Dunfermline. "
Council Neglect & Action
"It's an integral part of our identity, the council seem to neglect our heritage and invest in pathetic identity projects. i.e. the city Square. An abhorrent waste of money."
Council Neglect & Action
"This is a symbol of Dunfermline’s history and is prominent on the High Street. If it has taken over two years for Fife Council to think about repairing it, I wonder how important the appearance of the High Street is to them? What impression does this give to visitors? A neglected and run-down High Street does not engender a sense of pride in our city. "
Council Neglect & Action
"The statue was witness to thousands of significant moments in Dunfermline, and felt to me like a symbol of hope and strength. I hate seeing the site so neglected as it highlights a bigger problem of council neglect towards our assets (historical buildings, small businesses, arts and culture)"
Council Neglect & Action
"I’ll old enough to remember gathering at the Cross for the bells decades ago.
Now Fife Council has a CITY, it’s time for the administration to make changes to support a growing population and a historical legacy we need to preserve. "
Council Neglect & Action
"My family have lived here for decades and I grew up here but moved away to Aberdeen. I have since moved back after feeling like Aberdeen is a neglected and depressing place to live.
Dunfermline now feels very similar. Looks like any other urban area, neglected, weeds. No wonder people dont respect their environment.
The statue and the blue lampposts were hallmarks of the beautiful Dunfermline high street. Both now neglected, in favour of more housing I assume.
No green areas left, no beautiful pieces of history, it’s a good thing our scummy councillors dont have to live around here and look at it. "
Council Neglect & Action
"It is a symbol of Dunfermline. Now a city, Dunfermline has a rich history and wants to attract tourists but it's embarrassing when the council doesn't invest in upgrading the High Street and protecting and repairing our architecture. They are quick enough to raise council tax though but don't spend it where it matters."
Council Neglect & Action
"Its a huge part of Dunfermline heritage. The council needs to prioritise this. I've lived here all my life and it's sad it's broken."
Council Neglect & Action
"When my son was a very small child he was able to go up a couple of steps of the Mercat Cross, as he got bigger he was delighted to be able to make it to the top step. As he got older the cross remained a special feature of our town. Now a teenager, recently he commented on how sad and disappointing it is to see it the way it is now. We want everyone especially teenagers to feel pride in their town and look after it's history. The council needs to lead by example, if they don't care, don't restore and fix things nobody else will."
Council Neglect & Action
"Part of the heritage of Dunfermline where my family have all grown up. Clean up the high street and attract businesses and visitors to our City. Stop spending money on things that don’t matter - get public opinion on how you spend the cash. "
Council Neglect & Action
"I think the people that damaged it should pay for it!! In either money or volunteering in the community "
Council Neglect & Action
"It’s the ancient symbol of my birth place.
My adopted home town is full of town art but unfortunately the council doesn’t maintain that properly either.
Common good funds could be used. "
Council Neglect & Action
"Having moved to Dunfermline 2 years ago, I feel the strong, historical heritage of this wonderful City is neglected. The Mercat Cross should have the same attention of importance associated to the city as the cathedral. Its embarrassing to the City. Repair and protect. "
Council Neglect & Action
"It is a visible reminder of dunfermlines heritage. I believe that anyone caught vandalising such historical monuments should be made to assist with both the cost and the work of repairing them. "