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Aberdeen'sMercat Cross was built in 1686 by John Montgomery, an Aberdeen architect. It is in theCastlegate area in the old burgh ofNew Aberdeen.
This open-arched structure, 21 ft (6 m) in diameter and 18 ft (5 m) high, is a large hexagonal base from the centre of which rises a shaft with a Corinthian capital, on which is the royalunicorn. The base is highly decorated, including medallions illustrating Scottish monarchs fromJames I toJames VII and is supported by a series of open semi-circular arcades. According to local legend, the ghost of a unicorn can be seen to circle the Castlegate when a full moon is visible.
During theJacobite rising of 1715James Stuart, the Old Pretender, was declared king at the cross.[1]
57°08′54″N2°05′33″W / 57.14826°N 2.09262°W /57.14826; -2.09262
