Why go
The small mosaic marks a much larger absence: the Old Tolbooth was once the town’s administrative centre, a prison and a site of executions. Brass pavement markers help locate it amid today’s open street. Reading the heart alongside St Giles’ and Parliament House gives the square a history beyond its surviving buildings.
What to look for
- The heart-shaped mosaic lies near the west door of St Giles’ Cathedral.
- Brass pavement markers also record the former Tolbooth’s position.
- Walter Scott’s novel The Heart of Midlothian takes its name from the Tolbooth.
Useful to know
- Find the mosaic while walking between St Giles’ west door and Parliament Square.
- Look for the brass markers as well as the heart to understand the vanished building’s position.
Your next visit
Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.
Outdoor visit · 15–15 min
World planning estimate; admission, opening, visit duration and access need checking.