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Colr
17-12-2022, 09:31 PM
No, not that shower.

Help me with an argument. Why does one spit on the heart of midlothian at St Giles? I know what I know but a self-appointed expert thinks otherwise.

Shoot!
HUTCHYHIBBY
17-12-2022, 09:46 PM
To make it green! 🤔
Stairway 2 7
17-12-2022, 09:53 PM
No, not that shower.

Help me with an argument. Why does one spit on the heart of midlothian at St Giles? I know what I know but a self-appointed expert thinks otherwise.

Shoot!

The site of the entrance of the old tolbooth prison, something to do with people hung there
NORTHERNHIBBY
17-12-2022, 09:57 PM
Because you would get lifted if you had a pish.
HUTCHYHIBBY
17-12-2022, 10:13 PM
The site of the entrance of the old tolbooth prison, something to do with people hung there

Do people regulary spit outside the entrance to Saughton Prison?🤔
WeeRussell
17-12-2022, 10:14 PM
Because you would get lifted if you had a pish.

😂😂

To OP: I was always under the impression it’s to symbolise spitting on the criminal prisoners below. Maybe now considered good luck?

Not a tradition I think we’d be looking to start these days!

.. however when googling it seems it’s more a mark of disdain against the old prison/execution site, which makes more sense!
Santa Cruz
17-12-2022, 10:16 PM
https://edinburghtourist.co.uk/questions/why-spit-heart-midlothian/
WeeRussell
17-12-2022, 10:19 PM
Do people regulary spit outside the entrance to Saughton Prison?🤔

Can only speak for myself but I’ve never gobbed once when going in and out of the place.
Greentinted
17-12-2022, 11:30 PM
https://edinburghtourist.co.uk/questions/why-spit-heart-midlothian/

A wee visit to Abbotsford House and you’ll see the original Tolbooth Doorway incorporated into the building after being gifted to Walter Scott on the success of his eponymous novel.
Well worth a look (perhaps on warmer days though)
J-C
20-12-2022, 03:23 PM
The view on the spitting is when you got released you spat at the door as a sign of bravado and sticking 2 fingers up at the authorities.
JeMeSouviens
20-12-2022, 03:26 PM
Despite knowing about the prison tradition, I always hack up a beauty to dedicate to our beloved neighbours. Childish but fun.
Keith_M
20-12-2022, 05:51 PM
On a (loosely) related note...


Why did the singer/songwriter Fish write a song called 'Heart of Lothian'?


Bit strange for a Hibs Fan.
Hibbyradge
20-12-2022, 08:59 PM
On a (loosely) related note...


Why did the singer/songwriter Fish write a song called 'Heart of Lothian'?


Bit strange for a Hibs Fan.

He's singing about Edinburgh. Nothing to do with the Midlothian version.
Frazerbob
21-12-2022, 12:47 PM
Despite knowing about the prison tradition, I always hack up a beauty to dedicate to our beloved neighbours. Childish but fun.

I’m with you.

Remember as a teen, getting the number 6 bus from the foot of Easter Road to derbies at Tynie. Full of boisterous Hibbies, the bus would often be stopped at St Giles to allow everyone to pile off and gobb on the Heart to bring us luck. This was the 80’s….only luck it brought was bad!