Heart of Midlothian (Royal Mile): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Mosaic in Edinburgh, Scotland}} |
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{{other uses of|Heart of Midlothian}} |
{{other uses of|Heart of Midlothian}} |
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{{use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} |
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{{Coord|55|56|58.5|N|3|11|29.5|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}} |
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{{Use British English|date=December 2017}} |
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[[File:The Heart of Midlothian.JPG|thumb|The Heart of Midlothian]] |
[[File:The Heart of Midlothian.JPG|thumb|The Heart of Midlothian]] |
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The '''Heart of Midlothian''' is a [[mosaic]] located outside [[St Giles' Cathedral]] in [[Edinburgh]]. The heart marks the location of the entrance to Edinburgh's [[Old Tolbooth, Edinburgh|Old Tolbooth]] which was demolished in 1817.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Cosh|first=Mary|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/908403124|title=Edinburgh: The Golden Age|publisher=Birlinn Limited|year=2003|isbn=978-1-78027-258-0|location=Edinburgh|pages=542|oclc=908403124}}</ref> Locals will often spit upon the heart as a sign of good luck. While the tradition is now one of good luck, it was originally believed to be done as a sign of disdain for the executions which took place within the Old Tolbooth.<ref>Monuments and Statues of Edinburgh, Michael T.R.B. Turnbull (Chambers) p.17</ref> |
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The '''Heart of Midlothian''' is a heart-shaped mosaic built into the roadway near the West Door of [[St Giles High Kirk]] on the [[Royal Mile]] (the High Street in this section) in [[Edinburgh]], not far from [[Parliament House, Edinburgh|Parliament House]], which was the former [[Parliament of Scotland]], and now the site of the [[Court of Session]] and [[Writers to the Signet|Signet Library]]. |
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The Edinburgh football team [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.]] takes its name from the Old Tolbooth, and the mosaic which marks its former location.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History {{!}} Heart Of Midlothian Football Club|url=https://www.heartsfc.co.uk/more/club/history-2|access-date=2020-11-07|website=www.heartsfc.co.uk}}</ref> |
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Together with brass markers set into the pavement, it records the position of the 15th-century [[Old Tolbooth, Edinburgh|Old Tolbooth]], demolished in 1817, which was the administrative centre of the town, prison and one of several sites of public execution. The tolbooth features in Sir [[Walter Scott]]'s novel, ''[[The Heart of Midlothian]]'', published in 1818. |
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The Heart of Midlothian mosaic located in the Royal Mile has also inspired numerous company logos such as that of the Heart of Midlothian football club. |
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Although falling within the [[counties of Scotland|historic county]] of Midlothian, which exists today as a [[registration county]], the Heart is no longer within the local authority area of [[Midlothian]]. The City of Edinburgh, the historic [[county town]] of Midlothian which is also known as the County of Edinburgh or Edinburghshire, is now a [[unitary local authority]] area which incorporates former sections of [[West Lothian|West]] and [[East Lothian]] within it. The [[badge|crest]] of the Edinburgh football team [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]] is based upon this Heart. |
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==Spitting== |
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Visitors to Edinburgh will often notice people spitting on the Heart. A tolbooth (prison) stood on the site, where executions used to take place. The heart marks its doorway: the point of public execution.<ref>Monuments and Statues of Edinburgh, Michael T.R.B. Turnbull (Chambers) p.17</ref> Some people spit on the Heart. Although it now said to be done for good luck, it was originally done as a sign of disdain for the former prison. The spot lay directly outside the prison entrance, so the custom may have been begun by debtors on their release. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
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[[Category:Scottish traditions]] |
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[[Category:tourist attractions in Edinburgh]] |
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[[de:Heart of Midlothian (Edinburgh)]] |
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Latest revision as of 09:58, 22 May 2024
The Heart of Midlothian is a mosaic located outside St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. The heart marks the location of the entrance to Edinburgh's Old Tolbooth which was demolished in 1817.[1] Locals will often spit upon the heart as a sign of good luck. While the tradition is now one of good luck, it was originally believed to be done as a sign of disdain for the executions which took place within the Old Tolbooth.[2]
The Edinburgh football team Heart of Midlothian F.C. takes its name from the Old Tolbooth, and the mosaic which marks its former location.[3]
The Heart of Midlothian mosaic located in the Royal Mile has also inspired numerous company logos such as that of the Heart of Midlothian football club.
References
[edit]- ^ Cosh, Mary (2003). Edinburgh: The Golden Age. Edinburgh: Birlinn Limited. p. 542. ISBN 978-1-78027-258-0. OCLC 908403124.
- ^ Monuments and Statues of Edinburgh, Michael T.R.B. Turnbull (Chambers) p.17
- ^ "History | Heart Of Midlothian Football Club". www.heartsfc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
External links
[edit]- A short documentary with both locals and tourists giving their differing views about the origin of spitting on The Heart.
- Picture of the Tolbooth in Edinburgh City Libraries' Capital Collections
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