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]] in the High Street section of the [[Royal Mile]] in [[Edinburgh]]. It is situated close to [[Parliament House, Edinburgh|Parliament House]], which formerly housed the [[Parliament of Scotland]] and is 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 bearing building dates, 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 building 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, 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. The tradition is partly carried on by football fans as an act of disdain towards an Edinburgh club which shares both the name of Heart of Midlothian, as well as using the pattern for the club badge. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
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[[Category:tourist attractions in Edinburgh]] |
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[[de:Heart of Midlothian (Edinburgh)]] |
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[[zh:中洛锡安之心]] |
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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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