Heart of Midlothian (Royal Mile)

For other uses of "Heart of Midlothian", see Heart of Midlothian (disambiguation).

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 Heart of Midlothian

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.