Heart of Midlothian, Edinburgh

Name: Heart of Midlothian
Address: Royal Mile, Edinburgh, 1RE, United Kingdom

#221 among attractions in Edinburgh

Historical place

Gallery (1)

Map

Facts and practical information

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. 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. ()

Alternative names: Coordinates: 55°56'59"N, 3°11'29"W

Address

Royal MileOld Town (Cowgate)Edinburgh 1RE United Kingdom

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Day trips

Heart of Midlothian – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Cockburn Street, St Giles' Cathedral, Gladstone's Land, Thistle Chapel.

~600 ftNE
Shopping, Shopping district
Cockburn Street, Edinburgh
3 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, Cockburn Street is a vibrant and picturesque shopping district that offers a unique blend of historical charm and contemporary retail experience. This winding, cobbled street, which slopes steeply down from the Royal Mile...
~210 ftSE
Iconic Presbyterian place of worship
St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh
2 min walk • St Giles' Cathedral, often referred to as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, stands as a venerable beacon of Scotland's ecclesiastical history, nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. This majestic church, with its distinctive crown steeple piercing the skyline, is not...
~460 ftW
Museum, History museum, Historical place
Gladstone's Land, Edinburgh
3 min walk • Stepping into Gladstone's Land is like traveling back in time through the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. This historic tenement, managed by the National Trust for Scotland, offers a vivid glimpse into 17th-century city life.
~230 ftSE
Church, Gothic Revival architecture
Thistle Chapel, Edinburgh
2 min walk • Nestled within the historic walls of St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Thistle Chapel stands as a stunning example of Gothic architecture and Scottish tradition. This intimate chapel, an addition to the cathedral completed in 1911, is the spiritual home of The Most...
~420 ftNW
Museum, Specialty museum, History museum
Museum on the Mound, Edinburgh
3 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Scotland's historic capital, the Museum on the Mound stands as a testament to Edinburgh's rich cultural tapestry. Located within the iconic headquarters of the Bank of Scotland, this unique museum takes visitors on an enlightening journey...
~520 ftS
Dancing, Nightlife
Subway Cowgate, Edinburgh
3 min walk • 65 Cowgate is a multi-storey building situated on the historic Cowgate, Edinburgh, Scotland, which is used each August as a venue complex for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest open access festival.
~700 ftNE
Museum, Art museum
City Art Centre, Edinburgh
4 min walk • The City Art Centre is part of the Museums & Galleries Edinburgh, which sits under the Culture directorate of the City of Edinburgh Council.
~560 ftN
Game and entertainment center, Concerts and shows, Entertainment
Edinburgh Dungeon, Edinburgh
3 min walk • The Edinburgh Dungeon is an underground tourist attraction in Edinburgh's city centre, on East Market Street, which uses live actor shows and interactive rides to show various historical events from Scottish history in a scary fun style, with audience interaction and special effects, theatrical sets and performance.
~250 ftNE
Haunted tours through now-hidden alleys
Mary King's Close, Edinburgh
2 min walk • Mary King's Close is a historic close located under buildings on the Royal Mile, in the historic Old Town area of Edinburgh, Scotland. It took its name from one Mary King, a merchant burgess who resided on the Close in the 17th century.
~140 ftW
Street
Royal Mile, Edinburgh
1 min walk • The Royal Mile is a succession of streets forming the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland. The term was first used descriptively in W M Gilbert's Edinburgh in the Nineteenth Century, "...with its Castle and Palace and the royal mile between"...
~530 ftSW
Church
Quaker Meeting House, Edinburgh
3 min walk • The Quaker Meeting House, Edinburgh is a Category B listed building in Edinburgh, Scotland, situated on Victoria Terrace in the city's Old Town. It is the central meeting house for members of the Quakers in Edinburgh. There is also another Quaker meeting held in the Open Door cafe in Morningside in the south of the city.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Heart of Midlothian?

Nearby attractions include Royal Mile, Edinburgh (1 min walk), Advocates Close, Edinburgh (1 min walk), Edinburgh City Chambers, Edinburgh (1 min walk), St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh (2 min walk).

How to get to Heart of Midlothian by public transport?

The nearest stations to Heart of Midlothian:

Bus

Victoria Street • Lines: 23, 27, 41 (2 min walk)
Chambers Street • Lines: 41 (5 min walk)

Train

Edinburgh Waverley (5 min walk)
Haymarket (29 min walk)

Tram

Princes Street • Lines: Edinburgh Trams Eastbound, Edinburgh Trams Westbound (8 min walk)
St Andrew Square • Lines: Edinburgh Trams Eastbound, Edinburgh Trams Westbound (9 min walk)