The picture below is of Cross Cottage, Aberlady and this is the first 'Aberlady' house in which Nigel and his wife May, together withtheir children Frances May and Philip, lived.
They moved there in 1940 and stayed for twelve years before moving to Quarry House.
Sorry I know of no history of the cross. It is the common 'Mercat' (Market) cross found in most Scottish Burghs and was the central point of the community.
"The Mercat Cross was traditionally a symbol of the trading rites of Scottish market towns and villages. A law passed by King William I (1165-1214) required that all goods for sale in burghs be presented at the "mercat and mercat cross". Not only were crosses centres of trade and symbols of a town's trading status, they were also used as sites of proclamation and punishment of criminals, usually in the form of public humiliation"
For information about Aberlady itself go to the following excellent site 'Undiscovered Scotland'
You will probably find a lot more on their site of interest.
Thanks Cameron, not a bad answer for someone who says he does not know a lot about the cross, I have had a look at the site you suggested and I can't believe it, it is one of the best on Scotland I have seen, after I looked at Aberlady I went to the home page and WOW!!!! information and fabulous photographs, I have made a shortcut on my desktop so i can enjoy it whenever I please, Well done as usual kindest Regards Rab.
The cottage is so lovely. There's nothing even close to its simple beauty around here. I hope I can get back to Scotland one day and drink in more of its beauty.