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Kenn
05-Jul-11, 00:49
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i316/kenliz/Reaywalk082.jpg

I am intrigued by what is a very ancient cross in the village of Reay, does any one have any information on it?
Duncansby
05-Jul-11, 10:36
There might be a record of it on www.pastmap.org.uk. Just zoom in on it's location and click on any dot that's there to go to the records.
mi16
05-Jul-11, 10:52
That is the market cross. see explanation below

Historically, the market cross (Scots = 'mercat' cross) was the symbol of a burgh's right to trade and was located centrally in the town's market place. Documentary evidence suggests that this monument type existed by at least the 12th century in Scotland, although it is thought that these early examples were wooden. Many of the standing examples date from the 16th and 17th century, but there are also several more elaborate Victorian examples. Some burghs are recorded as having more than one market cross according to the produce sold around their base (eg - the 'Fish Cross' and 'Flesh Cross' in Aberdeen). Documentary evidence, particularly in town council records, also refers to all manner of announcements, celebrations and grizzly punishments carried out at the market cross, prompting Small (1900, 5) to describe their site as 'the dreaded theatre of public punishment and shame'! Today they are a symbol of the burgh's heritage, often seen, little contemplated.
Bazeye
05-Jul-11, 11:16
Loks more like a stone age hammer to me.
mi16
05-Jul-11, 12:33
Jeebus its the market cross I am telling you.
Do you think it was an ancient construction tool used by giants.
Rheghead
05-Jul-11, 12:39
I don't think this is the original location for the cross, seem to remember someone telling me it originally stood either where the war memorial is now or on where Beinn Ratha Court is now before the new houses were built. But I could be wrong.
mi16
05-Jul-11, 12:45
It is believed that it started out in Crosskirk

http://www.caithness.org/history/articles/hanginghighlands2.htm
Kenn
05-Jul-11, 19:00
Thank you all for the information, will have to take a trip to The Reference Library and see what they have on the stone.
Bazeye
05-Jul-11, 22:36
Jeebus its the market cross I am telling you.
Do you think it was an ancient construction tool used by giants.

Whoosh......
mi16
06-Jul-11, 07:33
Whoosh......

http://tinypic.com/b6d0nk.jpg