Galashiels Mercat Cross

Restored market cross which stands on an island at the junction of Scott Crescent and Church Street

A market cross has stood on or near this spot since Galashiels was granted Burgh of Barony status in 1599. This meant the town had the right to hold its own market. The original cross as restored in 1887 and a section of original shaft can be viewed in Old Gala House. Near to the cross once stood the tolbooth and Cloth Hall. The Tolbooth may have also been constructed in 1599 and was used as a prison and a place where money was collected from merchants who came to trade at the markets. The Cloth Hall was built in response to the growing textile industry of the 18th century and acted as a centre for the trade of cloth.