Voices of the Mercat Cross
Read the memories, frustrations, and demands of hundreds of residents standing up to protect Dunfermline’s heritage.
City Centre & Landmark
"It’s important to me. I have always loved seeing it and now it’s upsetting seeing it the way it is "
Heritage & History
"It's paet of the historical importance of Dunfermline as the medieval capital of Scotland. "
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. "
Meeting Place & Community
"Wouldn't say family but as a community with a recent city title along with glasgow and Edinburgh the mercat cross should be reinstated to boost tourism"
General Importance
"I have grown up in Dunfermline and would always climb up the steps of the merchant cross and my children did too until it was broken. "
Heritage & History
"We are custodians of heritage assets and sites and should strive to protect and conserve them for future generations "
Heritage & History
"It’s an integral part of Dunfermline’s history "
Council Neglect & Action
"I think the people that damaged it should pay for it!! In either money or volunteering in the community "
Civic Pride & Identity
"It’s at the heart of the city , let’s restore it to its former glory , and reflect some of the hope for Dunfermline as a proud future City , caring and kindness . "
Meeting Place & Community
"It’s an important local landmark and when you’re giving people directions using the cross as a way finding tool, it’s so embarrassing to be referring to it as a cross when it’s just a stone pillar "
Heritage & History
"I have always used it as meeting point and it gives me a great deal of comfort regarding the cities history "
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."
Heritage & History
"I grew up in Dunfermline and this led me to have a passion for mediaeval history. I studied this at the University of St Andrews and then did my postgraduate diploma in secondary education in Glasgow. I came back to Dunfermline several years ago to work as a History teacher at Woodmill High School. My brother and I would always play on the Mercat Cross steps. I believe this, and the other visible mediaeval monuments in Dunfermline affected the path of the rest of my life. I was devastated when the Victorian statue was vandalised. I would be happy to contribute to a fund to its re-erection as I believe this could have a transformative impact on Dunfermline’s children, as it did on me."
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."
Heritage & History
"It reflects the historic past of our ancient city. Today it's a great meeting place of you are catching up with pals or family. (Meet you at the toon cross). "
Council Neglect & Action
"It is so importsnt to maintain community historic monuments in a city steeped in history and funding could be used from the likes of Carnegie Trust if Council is unable to fund it."
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. "
Civic Pride & Identity
"Heart of city and currently a very poor reflection upon it. "