Heart of Midlothian, Granite mosaic on Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland
The Heart of Midlothian mosaic is a granite pattern set into the cobblestones of the Royal Mile, arranged in the shape of a red heart. It marks the spot where a building once stood and is bordered by brass indicators that show the original outer walls.
The mosaic marks the site of the Old Tolbooth, a medieval administrative and prison building that operated from the 15th century onward. The structure was demolished in 1817 and replaced by this artwork that remembers where it once stood.
The name comes from Sir Walter Scott's novel from the early 1800s, which shaped how people think about this spot. You can observe locals continuing an old tradition today: they deliberately step or spit on the heart mosaic as a gesture of disdain toward the former prison system that once stood here.
The mosaic is located on the Royal Mile, a busy main street, and is easy to spot among the crowds. It sits near St Giles Cathedral, which serves as a good landmark to help you find your way if you are looking for the site.
A famous Scottish writer immortalized this location in his novel and gave it the name that remains known today. The name later inspired the city's football club, which adopted it as part of their identity.
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