Mercat Cross is a historic landmark located in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland. This ornate stone structure, dating back to the 15th century, served as a marketplace where merchants would gather to sell their goods and announce royal proclamations. The cross is adorned with intricate carvings and stands as a symbol of the city's rich history and culture. It often serves as a meeting point for locals and tourists alike, reflecting Edinburgh's medieval heritage. The area surrounding Mercat Cross is bustling with shops and cafes, providing visitors a taste of the vibrant city life.
What each source says
- Google Places 4.6 2,064
- Tripadvisor 4.0 43
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-21.
What visitors single out
Liked
- A Focus for Guided Tours The Mercat Cross frequently serves as a meeting point for guided tours. Joining a tour enhances the experience by providing historical context and interesting anecdotes about the landmark.
- Central Location on the Royal Mile Situated in Parliament Square next to St. Giles' Cathedral, the Mercat Cross is easily accessible. It is a prominent landmark along the Royal Mile, making it hard to miss during a visit.
- Historically Significant Landmark The Mercat Cross marks a site with centuries of history, where important announcements, markets, and even punishments took place. Viewing the monument provides a tangible connection to Edinburgh's past.
- Rich Symbolism The structure incorporates a wealth of heraldic symbols, including the Royal Arms of Britain and the Scottish Unicorn. Each crest and emblem tells a story about Scotland's history and its relationship with the UK.
- Well-Maintained and Restored The current Mercat Cross is a Victorian-era structure that has been fully restored. The brightly painted coats of arms and the unicorn atop the column are visually appealing and offer great photo opportunities.
Criticised
- Brief Visit A visit to the Mercat Cross itself is generally brief, requiring only a few minutes to observe and appreciate. Visitors seeking a more extensive or immersive experience may find it lacking.
- Can Be Overlooked While historically significant, the Mercat Cross itself is a relatively small monument and may be easily missed amidst the many other attractions on the Royal Mile. A dedicated stop is needed to appreciate it fully.
- Limited Interaction Unlike some attractions, there are no interactive elements or activities directly associated with the Mercat Cross. It is primarily a visual landmark to observe and learn about.
- Not an Original Structure The present Mercat Cross is a Victorian-era reconstruction, not the original medieval cross. Visitors seeking an authentic historical artifact may be disappointed.
- Possible Obstruction Due to Restoration As indicated in some reviews, the Mercat Cross may occasionally be covered or under restoration. This can temporarily limit the viewing experience and photo opportunities.
The longer read
The Mercat Cross in Edinburgh, located in Parliament Square next to St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile, is a historically significant landmark that has been the site of important civic announcements since the 14th century. While the current structure is of Victorian origin, it stands close to the site of the original cross. The Mercat Cross isn't technically a cross, but rather an octagonal drum substructure adorned with the royal arms of Britain, Scotland, England, and Ireland, as well as the borough arms of Edinburgh, Leith, and the Canongate, and the University. A carved unicorn, Scotland’s national animal, tops the monument. Traditionally, royal proclamations, civic announcements, and even public punishments were carried out here. Some reviewers suggest to take a guided tour to fully appreciate its historical significance and learn about the stories behind the monument.
Many reviewers highlight Mercat Tours, emphasizing the engaging and informative nature of their guides. Guides like Shannon, Kirsty, Marina, Russell, Rory, Craig, Steph, Micheal, Jade, Aniela, Veni, Linda, Anastasia, Charles and Sarah are repeatedly praised for their knowledge, storytelling abilities, and passion for Edinburgh's history. Mercat Tours provides headsets to ensure everyone can clearly hear the guide, even amidst city noise. Several reviewers specifically recommend the Underground Vaults and Graveyard Evening Tour, citing the fascinating and haunting atmosphere of the vaults. The tours often incorporate theatrical elements and humor, enhancing the overall experience. Some visitors even reported paranormal experiences during the tours, such as seeing faces in photos taken in the vaults or hearing unexplained footsteps. The small group sizes contribute to a more intimate and immersive experience. Some reviewers found the tour so good that they bought a book afterwards to delve even deeper into the history. The guides are also commended for being attentive, welcoming, and providing recommendations for further exploration of Edinburgh. For those wanting to learn more about Edinburgh’s history, a tour with Mercat Tours, starting at the Mercat Cross, is highly recommended.
A synthesis of third-party reviews supplied by Mindtrip travel index. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +44 131 225 5445
- Website
- mercattours.com
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| Fri | 9:00 - 22:00 |
| Sat | 9:00 - 22:00 |
| Sun | 9:00 - 22:00 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.6 against a median of 4.6 across the 173 venues we hold for Edinburgh, where the most-reviewed is Edinburgh Castle.
Still deciding?
- What is the Mercat Cross and why is it significant in Edinburgh's history?
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Where this comes from
Venue records are drawn from the Mindtrip travel index, which aggregates place data and review signals from Google Places, Tripadvisor and booking providers. Ratings are reproduced per source rather than merged into a single number. Distances to nearby venues are computed here as great-circle distances between the published coordinates, not walking or driving routes. Comparison figures are medians computed across the venues we hold for the same neighbourhood or city.
Source: Mindtrip travel index, captured 2026-08-21.
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.