Heart of Midlothian

The Heart of Midlothian is a heart-shaped mosaic made of coloured granite setts on the Royal Mile outside St Giles' Cathedral. It stands where the Old Tolbooth once stood before its demolition in 1817. The building was notorious in its time and appears in Sir Walter Scott’s 1818 novel *The Heart of Midlothian*. The mosaic itself has marked the site since 1860. Edinburgh’s football club, Heart of Midlothian F.C., takes its name and crest from this emblem. The tradition of spitting on the mosaic is linked to both good luck and defiance. Locals believe the act brings fortune, though it may have begun as a protest against the executions once carried out there. Tourists often join in, creating a mix of interpretations over the years. The site remains a small but striking landmark amid the city’s grand architecture. Visitors find the mosaic set into the pavement near the cathedral’s entrance. Its bright colours contrast with the grey stones around it. The surrounding area bustles with people heading to and from the cathedral. The nearby statue of the Duke of Buccleuch adds to the historic atmosphere. The spot invites pause, whether for luck or simply to admire its unusual design.