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{{Short description|Mosaic in Edinburgh, Scotland}}
{{other uses of|Heart of Midlothian}}
{{other uses of|Heart of Midlothian}}
{{use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Coord|55|56|58.5|N|3|11|29.5|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
[[File:The Heart of Midlothian.JPG|thumb|The Heart of Midlothian]]
[[File:The Heart of Midlothian.JPG|thumb|The Heart of Midlothian]]
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>
The '''Heart of Midlothian''' {{IPAc-en|m|ɪ|d|ˈ|l|oʊ|ð|iː|ən}}<ref>http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/midlothian</ref> is a heart-shaped mosaic, formed in coloured granite setts, built into the pavement 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 home of the [[Court of Session]].


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>
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.


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.
The mosaic is named after the historic county of Midlothian of which Edinburgh is the county town. This is not to be confused with the council area of the same name which covers a smaller area and does not include the capital. The [[badge|crest]] of the Edinburgh football team [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]] is based upon this Heart.

==Spitting==
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.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist}}

* [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=32H9WORvpj0 A short documentary] with both locals and tourists giving their differing views about the origin of spitting on The Heart.
==External links==
* [http://www.capitalcollections.org.uk/viewItem.php?i=2857 Picture of the Tolbooth] in [http://www.capitalcollections.org.uk Edinburgh City Libraries' ''Capital Collections'']
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32H9WORvpj0 A short documentary] with both locals and tourists giving their differing views about the origin of spitting on The Heart.
* [https://archive.today/20121223214613/http://www.capitalcollections.org.uk/viewItem.php?i=2857 Picture of the Tolbooth] in [http://www.capitalcollections.org.uk Edinburgh City Libraries' ''Capital Collections'']


{{DEFAULTSORT:Heart Of Midlothian (Royal Mile)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heart Of Midlothian (Royal Mile)}}
[[Category:Visitor attractions in Edinburgh]]
[[Category:execution sites in Scotland]]
[[Category:history of Edinburgh]]
[[Category:mosaics]]
[[Category:Royal Mile]]
[[Category:Royal Mile]]
[[Category:Execution sites in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Capital punishment in Scotland]]
[[Category:History of Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Mosaics]]
[[Category:Scottish traditions]]
[[Category:Scottish traditions]]
[[Category:tourist attractions in Edinburgh]]


{{Edinburgh-stub}}
{{Edinburgh-stub}}

Latest revision as of 09:58, 22 May 2024

The Heart of Midlothian

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]
  1. ^ Cosh, Mary (2003). Edinburgh: The Golden Age. Edinburgh: Birlinn Limited. p. 542. ISBN 978-1-78027-258-0. OCLC 908403124.
  2. ^ Monuments and Statues of Edinburgh, Michael T.R.B. Turnbull (Chambers) p.17
  3. ^ "History | Heart Of Midlothian Football Club". www.heartsfc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
[edit]