The heart of Midlothian, its history and unusual uses (8 photos)

Historically, the heart is a sign of love, devotion, tenderness and other warm feelings. In one place in Edinburgh the symbol is used differently.





Today, Edinburgh's vibrant High Street is a popular tourist destination. But several centuries ago, the most terrible prison in the Kingdom, Old Tolbooth, was located here. All that remains now is the Heart of Midlothian, which marked the point of no return - the entrance to the dungeons.



Old Tolbooth, Edinburgh

Old Tolbooth was known throughout Great Britain as the most terrible place you could ever go to. Initially, the 14th century building had a different – useful function. It was used for such purposes as housing the City Council, the first sittings of the Scottish Parliament and the Court of Session.





Model of the Old Tolbooth

Subsequently, Old Tolbooth became the main prison of the city. It was originally used as a prison for debtors. But soon thieves and murderers, as well as petty criminals, began to be placed there. Among them were women and even children. Tolbut was notorious for its instruments of torture - the usual punishments were having fingers twisted and stakes. Executions were public and took place on a platform above the city square. The heads of the most dangerous criminals were nailed to the fence as a warning to others, as a sign of what not to do and what the consequences of misdeeds would be.



The condition of the prison was so bad that in 1561, Mary Queen of Scots ordered the building to be demolished and rebuilt. The new was fashionable, and one of its new elements was the frivolous hearts carved into the doors.



However, this did not indicate a change in morals. Torture and executions continued at New Talbot until the prison was razed to the ground in 1817. The prison and its heart became famous thanks to Sir Walter Scott's novel The Heart of Midlothian, which describes a fictional riot in Old Talbot. The work is considered one of the author's best works.



The only thing left of the old prison is the Heart of Midlothian. Traditionally, locals spit on it as they pass by. Although no one can explain exactly why this should be done. Some believe that this practice remains from the days when passers-by spat on the prison as a sign of solidarity with those who were inside.



The latter believe that it was the prisoners themselves who spat on their hearts when they were released. Still others insist it is a gesture of good luck for the city's football team, Hearts. The tourist version says that spitting in the heart is the only guaranteed way to return to Edinburgh. Regardless of the truth of the answer, when examining the heart you need to be careful so as not to get into someone else’s spit left by conscientious citizens.