The Mercat Cross of Glasgow

Built in the Year of Grace, 1929
The Merchant City.

Mercat Cross of Glasgow city centre. Octagonal stone base with long, slender podium featuring a unicorn holding a shield. The clock tower is in the background with a mixture of Playfair-esque and contemporary architecture.
The Mercat Cross of Glasgow on an overcast, grey day mid-June, 2026

From my years of wandering from the train station (or the bus station in the good ol’ days of the £1 Megabus!) to the Barras for a gig, the Mercat Cross of Glasgow became a key focal point navigating my way around the city.

The Cross
Located at the historic Glasgow Cross, which brings several key streets of the city together, the Mercat Cross sits in amongst a mixed bag of architectural styles, and is pleasing to spot (especially when rushing back to the station for the last train, it is a sight that brings a little relief when one possesses such terrible direction!).
The Mercat Cross features a wonderful and sturdy octagonal stone base, a little balustraded parapet, and slender column atop which sits a lovely unicorn, hoof resting on a shield clutched to her breast.

Luminous warning signs compete with the plants growing out of the little windows – no entry – weak roof!
If only. How nice to herald some news from atop?!

A fish, a bell, a tree…
The Mercat Cross features a lovely stone carved plaque (image below) letting us know this Mercat Cross was Built in the Year of Grace 2029, though the original mercat cross would have taken up residence in around the 17th century.
Above the plaque sits the city’s Coat of Arms, featuring St. Mungo in the centre with some lovely carved fish on either side.
I found this lovely wee article on Glasgow Live that goes into more detail about the story behind the Coat of Arms, take a wee peak.

Framed plaque featured on Glasgow's Mercat Cross. The rectangular stone plaque is flanked by carved columns atop which are a St. Andrew's Cross. The plaque reads 'The Mercat Cross of Glasgow, Built in the Year of Grace 1929'
Framed plaque featured on Glasgow’s Mercat Cross. The rectangular stone plaque is flanked by carved columns atop each are a St. Andrew’s Cross. The plaque reads ‘The Mercat Cross of Glasgow, Built in the Year of Grace 1929’
A wide and front-on look at Glasgow's mercat cross octagonal base. Fancy stone frame featuring the text 'Glasgow Flourish' and a plaque commemorating the date the mercat cross was placed are central.
Three sides of Glasgow’s Mercat Cross show a nice bit of symmetry, with wee windows on the outer walls and in the centre a plaque with script reading ‘The Mercat Cross of Glasgow, Built in the year of grace 1929’.


Taking a closer look above the plaque find St. Mungo straddling a knight’s Burgonet style helmet. Two carved fish are attached to two leaves and in-between them a shield with simple carved tree with a bell on one side, and another fish at the base. Some fancy swirls and a banner with the city’s motto ‘Let Glasgow Flourish’.
The connection between trees and fish is super fascinating, trees eat fish too. I’ll find a link soon that will explain it better than I can.
Glasgow's Coat of Arms, carved stone featuring figure of St. Mungo, carved leafs, carved fish, and the motto 'Let Glasgow Flourish'
Glasgow’s Coat of Arms, carved stone featuring figure of St. Mungo, carved leafs, carved fish, and the motto ‘Let Glasgow Flourish’