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Kinross
 

The Old Merkit Cross

The Old Merkit (or Market) Cross used to stand in the middle of the road outside what is the town hall. The coming of the motor car necessitated it being moved and if memory serves me right, it was rediscovered in a quarry near Milnathort.

The cross was placed in Sandgate Park, beside the old A90(now the B996), Great North Road, and mounted on a plinth. The old town "jougs" hung from the cross, the iron collar fell off and only the chain remains.

The Old Merkit Cross The Old Merkit Cross


Town House

This building was was once the old tollbooth until it was improved in 1771 when Robert Adam, the famous architect and M.P. for Kinross-shire decorated the front at his own expense.
The building continued in use as a jail until 1826, when the new County Buildings were built further along the High Street.

The last Provost of Kinross was the late Mr. McBain, whose house still carries the traditional street lamp with the Kinross coat of arms painted onto he glass.

The Old Tolbooth The Old Tolbooth

Provost McBain's House Provost McBain's House


On the wall of the old library, (which was killed by the neglect of Tayside Region and Perth & Kinross Council,)is a plaque to a little known part of World War II. I do not know much more than the Poles were here, some of them settled in Kinross after the war.

"To the citizens of Kinross, Milnathort, Kelty in gratitude for the hospitality received by Polish Tank Training Centre, 1942 - 1948."

The Polish memorial The Polish memorial


Old Parish Church

The old parish church yard is situated beside the loch at the far end of the Kirkgate Park. The Bruce family vault is situated in the grounds itself, while the Montgomery family (the current owners of Kinross House) have their burial ground on their side of the boundary wall and is not accessible to the public.

Bruce family vault Bruce family vault

The view towards Castle Island The view towards Castle Island

Robert Burns-Begg,grand-nephew of the poet Robert Burns and Sherrif Clerk of Kinross-shire, born at the school house, 1st May 1833, died at the Beild Kinross, 19th August 1900.

Robert Burns-Begg was a noted local historian and general good guy about the shire. His memorial can be seen in the old churchyard, Kirkgate Park, overlooking the loch.

Burns-Begg memorial Burns-Begg memorial