Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
At Nai Mong Hoi Thod, the oyster omelet is worth waiting for.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount.
Kor Panich
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
5 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
6 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
7 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
8 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Prestonpans Preston Market Cross
AO Edited

Preston Market Cross

Reportedly the "most handsome" market cross in Scotland.

Prestonpans, Scotland

Added By
SEANETTA ALLSASS
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Preston Cross   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Preston Cross   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Preston Cross   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Preston Cross   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Preston Cross   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Preston Cross   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Preston Cross   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Preston Cross   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Preston Cross   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Taken from the No. 26 bus   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Preston Tower   tonyL / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Prestonpans, or Preston, is a small coastal region that lies some 10 miles east of Edinburgh. It currently boasts a vast number of murals painted by members of the local community and guest artists. It also happens to be the site of a historic battle. Here, Charles Edward Stuart fought and won the first battle of the ill-fated 1745 Jacobite uprising. Dotted around this quaint village are several reminders of this troublesome era. One such example is the Preston Tower.

Dating from the early part of the 17th-century, the township of Preston was granted permission to hold a weekly market and annual fair. As a part of this prestigious distinction, the township was honored with a market cross. This is one of two specifically designed market crosses surviving in Scotland. It's also the only such structure still in its original location. 

The Preston Cross is constructed of yellow sandstone, octangular in shape, and consists of two doors. At the ground level of the cross resides a circular room that functioned as the town's jail. Here, convicted criminals would be held for a variety of infractions ranging from public intoxication—to committing slander and not attending church services. 

Above this lockup, connected by a narrow stairway, is a raised platform. From here, proclamations were read out to the gathered townspeople. These would've included royal announcements, as well as public decrees. In the center of this podium is a column topped with the symbol of Scotland, a unicorn holding a shield with a red lion.

Related Tags

History & Culture Jails Architecture

Know Before You Go

Visible and accessible at all hours of the day. Though there is no entry, the nearby Preston Tower is well worth a visit. 

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

SEANETTA

Edited By

Vaquero, batigol50, RedBaronFish, tonyL

  • Vaquero
  • batigol50
  • RedBaronFish
  • tonyL

Published

January 8, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/prestonpans/prestoncross/index.html
  • http://www.battlefieldsofbritain.co.uk/battle_prestonpans_1745.html
Preston Market Cross
14 E Loan
Prestonpans, Scotland, EH32 9EF
United Kingdom
55.955563, -2.975938
Get Directions

Nearby Places

'Athena' Memorial Statue

Prestonpans, Scotland

miles away

Robert Burns Memorial Shelter

Prestonpans, Scotland

miles away

The New Prestoungrange Gothenberg

Prestonpans, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Prestonpans

Prestonpans

Scotland

Places 5

Nearby Places

'Athena' Memorial Statue

Prestonpans, Scotland

miles away

Robert Burns Memorial Shelter

Prestonpans, Scotland

miles away

The New Prestoungrange Gothenberg

Prestonpans, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Prestonpans

Prestonpans

Scotland

Places 5

Related Places

  • Castle Cary Round House

    Somerset, England

    Castle Cary Round House

    One of the best-preserved examples of an old town lock-up in the country.

  • Derby, England

    Breedon on the Hill Lock-Up

    A late 18th-century jail.

  • Kirkcudbright Tolbooth

    Kirkcudbright, Scotland

    Kirkcudbright Tolbooth

    A 17th-century building that once served as the town's courthouse and jail is now a thriving art center.

  • Torre della Gabbia (Tower Cage)

    Mantua, Italy

    Torre della Gabbia (Tower Cage)

    A medieval tower with a suspended iron cage used as an open-air jail for criminals who were exposed as a warning.

  • Decorative drainpipe on the former Waring home (Chippewa Square).

    Savannah, Georgia

    Dolphin Drainpipes

    These ornate, fish-shaped water spouts guard Savannah’s historic facades.

    Sponsored by Visit Savannah
  • Castillo de Gillow.

    San Lucas el Grande, Mexico

    Ex-Hacienda de Chautla

    A historic Puebla estate featuring a striking castle.

  • Face of Nakpil-Bautista house

    Manila, Philippines

    Bahay Nakpil-Bautista

    A century-old ancestral home was home to some of the key figures of the Philippine Revolution.

  • The Tomioka Silk Mill.

    Tomioka, Japan

    Tomioka Silk Mill

    The World Heritage-designated site of Japan’s industrial revolution, once mistaken as a den of vampires.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.