The last post I wrote about fairs and markets in this blog largely focussed on those which happened in Brechin. This one gives a little supplementary information about the Forfar markets. Those interested in reading further about other Angus markets are invited to try the links at the bottom of this article.
The most celebrated and popular fair in Forfar was St James' Market. It lasted from the 20th to 30th July. Long past its heyday, by the 1920s it remained a holiday and the events at the fair consisted mainly of Highland sports and excusrsions. It original trading purpose had largely been set aside.
Among the records of the burgh of Forfar is a warrant of 1682 which empowers the magistrates 'to arme with halberts twenty-foure men duering the time of the faire, for keeping the peace, and collecting the customs thereof.
Apart from St James, other local fairs and markets were named in honour of St Valentine, St Peter, St Trodlin. St Peter's Fair was held originally near Restenneth Priory and St Trodlin's at the Kirk of Rescobie. The traditional weekly market in Forfar was held on a Sunday. An Act of Parliament on 21 July 1593 ordained:
Our Soueraine Lorde understanding that be acte and ordinance maid anent observatione of the Sabbath-daie within this realme, the mercatte daie of the burgh of Forfar, being the head burgh of the shire quhilke was Sundaie, is taken from them; and his Hieness, with the advise of the estaites of this present Parliament, alteris and changis their said mercatte daie from Sundaie to Fridaie, and willis the samen Fridaie oukly to be their mercatte daie to them hereafter, and the samen to stande with the like priviledges and freedoms as the Sundaie did before.But Sundays were adhered to for some time, and when the switch came, the day actually chosen for the event was Saturday.
The Croft Markets held on Wednesdays were reckoned to be survivals of markets held in honour of St Margaret and St Ethernan, and possibly other saints.
By the mid-nineteenth century, the weekly corn-market on Saturdays was the most regular of these events held in Forfar, besides which there were around ten annual markets for the sale of cattle and transaction of general business.
Previous Posts on Fairs and Markets
Fairs and Markets (and Festivals), Part Three: Brechin
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