Merkland Cross

Dumfries & Galloway | Kirtlebridge | Carved cross | ★

[Merkland Cross]

Merkland Cross is a beautifully-carved 15th century cross, thankfully not quite bulldozed by the M74 motorway which passes by just a few metres away. The cross also lies on the former path of a Roman Road, but this provides few clues as to its purpose: Historic Environment Scotland suggest it may have been a market cross or memorial, possibly commemorating a member of the Maxwell family. Getting there from the nearest suitable parking spot is a little complicated - wear sturdy footwear suitable for crossing rough fields.

📌 Merkland Cross ★
Off minor road near B7076 a mile east of Kirtlebridge, G.R.: NY 250721 ///curtains.acre.challenge
Always viewable | Free

Anything else? Park at G.R.: NY 253718 ///worthy.fairly.nooks, then follow an intermittently faint track west then northwest close to the M74. It's a 5- or 10-min walk to the cross, occasionally muddy.

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