The Heart of Midlothian
Edinburgh has two football teams – Hibernian and Heart of Midlothian (Hearts for short) and outside St. Giles’ Cathedral there is a heart of stone set into the pavement known as the Heart of Midlothian.
If you happen to be walking past and catch somebody spitting on it don’t assume that it’s a Hibernian (Hibs) fan venting his feelings because the custom of spitting on this spot goes back a long time.
Not to be confused with today’s council area of the same name, Edinburgh used to be at the heart of the old historic county of Midlothian, and the area around St. Giles was where the Scottish parliament and administrative offices were located. The original Tolbooth was also situated here which during its time was a court house, prison and place of execution. It was demolished in 1817 but had stood for over 400 years.
The position of the heart is where the entrance to the prison would have been and where the executions took place, and so it’s not difficult to see where the connection between the heart and the custom of spitting on it comes from.
These days it’s said that the tradition continues more for good luck than anything else. Whether that would apply to a Glasgow Rangers or Celtic fan I’m not so sure.
Originally posted 2018-11-29 04:59:28.
Gosh..imagine missing this one. Walked by it often. Thank you Malc. Greatly appreciated.
I’m still looking
https://www.easymalc.co.uk/edinburgh-at-christmastime/
https://www.easymalc.co.uk/the-forth-bridge-and-the-firth-of-forth/
https://www.easymalc.co.uk/bass-rock/
Malc, thank you, thank you and sorry for getting here yesterday I was too unwell.
Please don’t apologise Shey and I’m sorry that you’ve been unwell too. It did cross my mind that you may catch whatever it was your family had but whatever it was I hope it hasn’t hit you too hard. Please take care! 😤
Well they all ahd the flu. Just great at this time of year…. But hey. Crawled back to the desk.
It’s not a great time to go down with the flu is it? Like Jethro used to say – Just rush along steady.
Well At least I should be fine for xmas…
I’d be happy to try and see if it could bring NUFC good luck, although not sure I could bring myself to spit in public!!
LOL. You never know! Football can bring the worst out of people 🙂