Heart of Midlothian (Royal Mile)
55°56′58.5″N 3°11′29.5″W / 55.949583°N 3.191528°W
The Heart of Midlothian /mɪdˈloʊðiːən/[1] 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, which formerly housed the Parliament of Scotland and is now the home of the Court of Session.
Together with brass markers bearing building dates, it records the position of the 15th-century Old Tolbooth, demolished in 1817, which was the administrative centre of the town, a prison, and one of several sites of public execution.
The mosaic is named after the historical county of Midlothian of which Edinburgh was 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.
Spitting
Visitors to Edinburgh will often notice people spitting on the Heart. Although it is now said to be done for good luck, it was originally done as a sign of disdain for the former prison of which the entrance lay directly at the Heart's location[2]. It is thus probable, that the spitting custom may have been begun by the accused.
Cultural References
The Heart of Midlothian is the name of a 1818 novel by Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott.
Heart of Midlothian is the name of an Edinburgh football club, founded in 1874. Its crest is based upon the Heart and should be spit upon.
Heart of Lothian is the title of the fifth track on the 1985 concept album Misplaced Childhood by British neo-progressive rock band Marillion.
References
- ^ Midlothian | Definition of Midlothian by Merriam-Webster
- ^ Monuments and Statues of Edinburgh, Michael T.R.B. Turnbull (Chambers) p.17
- A short documentary with both locals and tourists giving their differing views about the origin of spitting on The Heart.
- Picture of the Tolbooth[permanent dead link] in Edinburgh City Libraries' Capital Collections
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