Forres Mercat Cross renovations started by G Laing Stonecraft

A YEAR and eight months since it was fenced off, a monument at the centre of Forres is finally being repaired.

Scaffolding went up around the Mercat Cross on Tuesday February 23 and stonemasons are scheduled to start the renovations on the miniature version of Sir Walter Scott's Monument in Edinburgh, built by Thomas Mackenzie in1844.

A Moray Council spokesperson confirmed the contractors will initially clean the structure and apply a biocide.

She said: "There is about a month’s worth of stone carving to do, to complete the new pieces of ornate stone. Once these have been completed and the structure has been fully cleaned they will commence the restoration works as set out in the specification.”

In July 2019, passer-by Kirsty Turnbull informed the local authority that part of the cross had broken off and was balanced on part of the structure above the High Street. The cross was fenced off two days later and the damage inspected. Funding of £30,000 was allocated for repairs last November.

Councillor George Alexander (Forres, Independent) was instrumental in persuading his fellow councillors to agree to the work.

He said: "I am delighted to see this being done. It is never easy to find funding for this sort of work when there are so many other demands on the council’s finances. Let’s hope that when it is completed it helps to improve footfall on the High Street."

The contractor, G Laing Stonecraft Ltd, has been involved in repairing and consolidating the Forres Mercat Cross for years.

Owner Garry Laing explained his team will re-carve some of the floral pinnacles that have disappeared, along with completing new sandstone indenting to areas that have eroded.

He said: "The cross will get a sympathetic clean and a re-point of all open joints. We repointed it 10 years ago so only the more exposed areas need redone.

"Our aim is to carve a new eight-sided floral finial on the lower section and reattach the other three using stainless steel pins.

"The higher pinnacles are all missing, apart from one which the council removed a few years ago for safety reasons. So, we have repaired it and can copy to make the other three, although originally there would have been eight of them. Their tall design was their biggest flaw, as the high winds, water erosion and the odd expedition to climb the cross by unknown persons caused them to start listing and break from their pins."

Once this phase is finished, there will be four complete pinnacles with finials on top and new column bases at the base with a bracing system to keep them more steady and secure.

G Laing will also be adding missing small crosses to the top section of the monument, so it will bristle with parts not seen for years. Cop Cragg sandstone will be used as it is the best match to the original stone. All mortar will be done with traditional lime mortar.

Mr Laing said: "We were recently involved in high level repairs to the masonry on the Tolbooth tower and are very happy to be involved again on the cross so that future generations can enjoy it.

"We take great pride in maintaining this historic monument for another generation. Who knows, maybe we will be back to carve the last four pinnacles, completing its arsenal of floral decoration."