Royal Proclamations
Immediately east of St. Giles' is the Mercat Cross, which, during several centuries, acquired associations that made it the centre, not only of civic but of national affairs. The stone shaft belongs to the ancient Cross, which stood farther down the High Street, but the pedestal was the gift of William Ewart Gladstone. All royal proclamations are made from the Cross, which, in Scott's Marmion, is referred to as "Dun - Edin's Cross."
Opposite the Cross, on the north side of High Street, is the Royal Exchange, in which, and in the flanking buildings, are housed the Town Council, and the municipal officials. Constructed in 1753-1761 at a cost of over £31,000, the Exchange, with its Italian facade, has in front a quadrangle, the south side of which consists of seven arches.
Near this spot stood the mansion of Sir Simon Preston of Craigmillar, Provost of Edinburgh, in the reign of Mary Queen of Scots.
From the back windows of the Exchange a magnificent view of the New Town, the Firth of Forth, and the uplands of Fife can be obtained.
Further down the High Street, on the right stands the Old Fishmarket Close, in which resided George Heriot, the founder of the famous Hospital in Lauriston. Heriot was goldsmith to James VI., and is the original of Jinglin' Geordie in Scott's Fortunes of Nigel.
A few doors farther down stood formerly a strongly built tenement known as the Black Turnpike. Here Mary Queen of Scots and Darnley are said to have lodged after Rizzio's murder.
