Paulie Walnut Posted October 27, 2010 Just wondered if hearts fans did this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tiberius Stinkfinger Posted October 27, 2010 Just wondered if hearts fans did this You not a "Hearts fan" then ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mighty Thor Posted October 27, 2010 Always. I was actually offended to see that the city fathers had decided to let some unwashed **** sell some absolute fecking tat on top of the Heart of Midlothian during this year's festival. One generally had to shuffle a couple of stunned & bemused tourists out the way to deliver the greener. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
john brownlee Posted October 27, 2010 only hobos spit on the badge so NO I don't Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leginten Posted October 27, 2010 Always. I was actually offended to see that the city fathers had decided to let some unwashed **** sell some absolute fecking tat on top of the Heart of Midlothian during this year's festival. One generally had to shuffle a couple of stunned & bemused tourists out the way to deliver the greener. Likewise. Always have done, always will. Causes the occasional furrowed brow when I'm showing people around the town, but what the hell. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big_Hearts_Runner Posted October 27, 2010 Aye, remember spitting on it a few days before the cup final in 98 for good luck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Say What Again Posted October 27, 2010 Nope. I used to work less than 30 yards from it and it was always covered in big, greeners that had been howked up by Hobos. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnjl Posted October 27, 2010 Spitting in the street is horrible Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan Gosling Posted October 27, 2010 If I remember to. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Munch Posted October 27, 2010 Just wondered if hearts fans did this reported hobo undercover you were doing well too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cash is king Posted October 27, 2010 yes always for good luck dont half of you know your edinburgh traditions Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cash is king Posted October 27, 2010 it was the entrance to the Jail house there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
londonjambo Posted October 27, 2010 only hobos spit on the badge so NO I don't Clearly not from the other replies on the thread The stones making up the Heart of Midlothian mark the site of the hated tollbooth jail. It was considered good luck to spit on the site of the jail. It has nothing to do with the football club other than the fact that the jail was called the Heart of Midlothian and the club was called after a dance club which in itself was called after the jail. It certainly isnt spitting on the club or anything approaching it and shouldnt be considered a slight on the club at all GC Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnjl Posted October 27, 2010 (edited) yes always for good luck dont half of you know your edinburgh traditions Also used to be common to throw piss and shit out your window. Some traditions should be allowed to die out. Edited October 27, 2010 by johnjl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
londonjambo Posted October 27, 2010 Also used to be common to throw piss and shit out your window. Some traditions should be allowed to die out. Oh god, please tell me I'm not the only one that still does this. How embarrassing GC Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Groatallar Posted October 27, 2010 Also used to be common to throw piss and shit out your window. It still is in certain parts of the country Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spellczech Posted October 27, 2010 I did once- but it's not anything to do with the football club other than the badge was taken from it right? It was the site of the old Tolbooth prison. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scott herbertson Posted October 27, 2010 Taught by my grandfather (secretary of the Tolcross hearts supporters club back in the 50s) to do so and always will. It is a mark of the independence of the burghers of edinburgh. Anyone wanting to reflect on that should read about the porteous riots Porteous Riots On 14 April 1736 three convicted smugglers, Andrew Wilson, William Hall and George Robertson, were arrested, tried and condemned to death. Hall's sentence was commuted to transportation for life, while Wilson and Robertson awaited their fate. A few days before the execution George Robertson managed to escape by widening the space between the window-bars of his cell and, with the help of sympathethic supporters eventually made his way to Holland. The remaining convict, Andrew Wilson, was taken to be publicly hanged in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh on 14 April 1736. The body of Wilson was cut down against the wishes of the mob, and the ensuing riot was such that the hangman had to be placed in protective custody. As the situation worsened, for fear of an attempt to rescue the victims, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh instructed Captain Porteous to call out the entire guard and to furnish them with powder and shot. After the execution the mob became violent and began to stone the City Guard. Accounts of events are confused, but what is certain is that Captain Porteous instructed his men to fire above the heads of the crowd but, in so doing, they shot and wounded people in the windows of the high tenement buildings opposite. The crowd became increasingly violent and, as panic set in, Captain Porteous ordered the guard to shoot into the mob, which led to the deaths of six people in all. [edit] Trial and appeal Porteous was arrested the same afternoon and charged with murder. He was tried at the High Court of Justiciary on 5 July 1736, where a majority of witnesses testified that Porteous had personally fired into the crowd on 14 April, although sixteen others said they had not seen him do so. Feelings were running high in Edinburgh and the jury unanimously found Porteous guilty of murder. He was sentenced to death, the execution was set to take place in the Grassmarket on 8 September 1736. Porteous was imprisoned in the Tolbooth prison, near St Giles church. Events in Scotland alarmed the government in London, and Sir Robert Walpole attempted to influence events by asking his representative in Edinburgh to become involved. But he had miscalculated, underestimating the depth of feeling in Scotland. A formal appeal was petitioned and the execution was deferred. [edit] Death However, public resentment at a possible reprieve was such that a plot to murder Captain Porteous was hatched, and when the authorities heard of this it was decided to increase the guard at the Tolbooth prison. However, on the evening before this was due to happen, a large crowd of over four thousand gathered at Portsburgh, west of the city. Making their way across the Grassmarket to the Cowgate and up the High Street, the mob converged on the Tolbooth, where they were eventually able to overpower the guards. Porteous was dragged from his cell and up the Lawnmarket towards the West Bow and the Grassmarket, where he was lynched from a dyer's pole, using a rope taken from a local draper's shop. After a short while he was dragged down and stripped of his nightgown and shirt, which was then wrapped around his head before he was hauled up again. However, the mob had not tied his hands and, as he struggled free, they broke his arm and shoulder, while another attempted to set light to his naked foot. He was taken down a further time and cruelly beaten before being hung up again, and died a short while later, just before midnight on 7 September 1736. The spot where Porteous died is today marked by a memorial plate in the Grassmarket. The site of the Tolbooth is marked by paving stones arranged in the form of a heart, 'The Heart of Midlothian'. Tour guides will assure you that, even today, passers-by will spit on the spot, a tradition originally intended to demonstrate their contempt for the hated Tolbooth. Porteous was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh, the following day, near the westmost wall of the original graveyard. For more than two hundred years the grave was marked by a small square stone with the single letter P and the date 1736. In the 1930s this was replaced with a headstone of Craigleith stone, bearing the inscription John Porteous, a captain of the City Guard of Edinburgh, murdered September 7, 1736. All Passion Spent, 1973. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie-Brown Posted October 27, 2010 What a gruesome story that is. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Do The Dance Posted October 27, 2010 Nope, spitting is clarty. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alwaysthereinspirit Posted October 28, 2010 Was home in July. Made certain I did. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunnybunny Posted October 28, 2010 Taught by my grandfather (secretary of the Tolcross hearts supporters club back in the 50s) to do so and always will. It is a mark of the independence of the burghers of edinburgh. Anyone wanting to reflect on that should read about the porteous riots Porteous Riots On 14 April 1736 three convicted smugglers, Andrew Wilson, William Hall and George Robertson, were arrested, tried and condemned to death. Hall's sentence was commuted to transportation for life, while Wilson and Robertson awaited their fate. A few days before the execution George Robertson managed to escape by widening the space between the window-bars of his cell and, with the help of sympathethic supporters eventually made his way to Holland. The remaining convict, Andrew Wilson, was taken to be publicly hanged in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh on 14 April 1736. The body of Wilson was cut down against the wishes of the mob, and the ensuing riot was such that the hangman had to be placed in protective custody. As the situation worsened, for fear of an attempt to rescue the victims, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh instructed Captain Porteous to call out the entire guard and to furnish them with powder and shot. After the execution the mob became violent and began to stone the City Guard. Accounts of events are confused, but what is certain is that Captain Porteous instructed his men to fire above the heads of the crowd but, in so doing, they shot and wounded people in the windows of the high tenement buildings opposite. The crowd became increasingly violent and, as panic set in, Captain Porteous ordered the guard to shoot into the mob, which led to the deaths of six people in all. [edit] Trial and appeal Porteous was arrested the same afternoon and charged with murder. He was tried at the High Court of Justiciary on 5 July 1736, where a majority of witnesses testified that Porteous had personally fired into the crowd on 14 April, although sixteen others said they had not seen him do so. Feelings were running high in Edinburgh and the jury unanimously found Porteous guilty of murder. He was sentenced to death, the execution was set to take place in the Grassmarket on 8 September 1736. Porteous was imprisoned in the Tolbooth prison, near St Giles church. Events in Scotland alarmed the government in London, and Sir Robert Walpole attempted to influence events by asking his representative in Edinburgh to become involved. But he had miscalculated, underestimating the depth of feeling in Scotland. A formal appeal was petitioned and the execution was deferred. [edit] Death However, public resentment at a possible reprieve was such that a plot to murder Captain Porteous was hatched, and when the authorities heard of this it was decided to increase the guard at the Tolbooth prison. However, on the evening before this was due to happen, a large crowd of over four thousand gathered at Portsburgh, west of the city. Making their way across the Grassmarket to the Cowgate and up the High Street, the mob converged on the Tolbooth, where they were eventually able to overpower the guards. Porteous was dragged from his cell and up the Lawnmarket towards the West Bow and the Grassmarket, where he was lynched from a dyer's pole, using a rope taken from a local draper's shop. After a short while he was dragged down and stripped of his nightgown and shirt, which was then wrapped around his head before he was hauled up again. However, the mob had not tied his hands and, as he struggled free, they broke his arm and shoulder, while another attempted to set light to his naked foot. He was taken down a further time and cruelly beaten before being hung up again, and died a short while later, just before midnight on 7 September 1736. The spot where Porteous died is today marked by a memorial plate in the Grassmarket. The site of the Tolbooth is marked by paving stones arranged in the form of a heart, 'The Heart of Midlothian'. Tour guides will assure you that, even today, passers-by will spit on the spot, a tradition originally intended to demonstrate their contempt for the hated Tolbooth. Porteous was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh, the following day, near the westmost wall of the original graveyard. For more than two hundred years the grave was marked by a small square stone with the single letter P and the date 1736. In the 1930s this was replaced with a headstone of Craigleith stone, bearing the inscription John Porteous, a captain of the City Guard of Edinburgh, murdered September 7, 1736. All Passion Spent, 1973. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tasavallan Posted October 28, 2010 (edited) Taught by my grandfather (secretary of the Tolcross hearts supporters club back in the 50s) to do so and always will. It is a mark of the independence of the burghers of edinburgh. Anyone wanting to reflect on that should read about the porteous riots Scott, while I know the Cpt. Porteous story from reading your namesake Walter's novel 'The Heart of Mid-Lothian', my mother brought me up never to spit. As such, I have never spat on the heart and I dare say I never will. And all that just because three neds from the Cowgate came back from a stag doo to Amsterdam with a bottle of whisky too many in their luggage. Anybody read the Quintilian Dalrymple novels? Edited October 28, 2010 by Tasavallan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speedbump Posted October 28, 2010 Clearly not from the other replies on the thread The stones making up the Heart of Midlothian mark the site of the hated tollbooth jail. It was considered good luck to spit on the site of the jail. It has nothing to do with the football club other than the fact that the jail was called the Heart of Midlothian and the club was called after a dance club which in itself was called after the jail. It certainly isnt spitting on the club or anything approaching it and shouldnt be considered a slight on the club at all GC There we go, the definitive answer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ecosse Posted October 28, 2010 yup everytime i`m up that way Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buffalo Bill Posted October 28, 2010 I never look at the Heart if Midlothian cobble stones because I hate the sight of spat out chewing gum and horrible lumps of green spit. It's a no from me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Debut 4 Posted October 28, 2010 Clearly not from the other replies on the thread The stones making up the Heart of Midlothian mark the site of the hated tollbooth jail. It was considered good luck to spit on the site of the jail. It has nothing to do with the football club other than the fact that the jail was called the Heart of Midlothian and the club was called after a dance club which in itself was called after the jail. It certainly isnt spitting on the club or anything approaching it and shouldnt be considered a slight on the club at all GC I thought most Edinburghers knew this! However, while its a good point i think by default everyone associates it with the club , naturally. The founders took the name so there is a link, however loose it may be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigsmak Posted October 28, 2010 I was told that it was placed on the site of where the last hanging occurred in the Edinburgh and that spitting on it is a sign of our anger and resent towards the whole capital punishment history of the city. Good story, never had thought to doubt if it was true or not and always spit on the stone! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boof Posted October 28, 2010 Always. But not hacked up greeners - that's just disgusting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cut The Crap Posted October 28, 2010 Nah, I never spit in the street, partly because I've never actually been any good at it. Usually just dribbles down over my jaikit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harry Palmer Posted October 28, 2010 Yep. Wasn't there some law that it was the only place in Edinburgh where you could legally spit? Or did I just imagine/make that up? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
harvey05 Posted October 28, 2010 I did once- but it's not anything to do with the football club other than the badge was taken from it right? It was the site of the old Tolbooth prison. You may find the link below interesting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_of_Midlothian_%28Royal_Mile%29 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Armageddon Posted October 28, 2010 Nope. I used to work less than 30 yards from it and it was always covered in big, greeners that had been howked up by Hobos. Hahaha you obviously worked in the same place as me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TimeBandit Posted October 29, 2010 My wife complains bitterly at me every time she sees me do this.. but then she's a weegie and loves the barras.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Do The Dance Posted October 30, 2010 I thought most Edinburghers knew this! However, while its a good point i think by default everyone associates it with the club , naturally. The founders took the name so there is a link, however loose it may be. What is an Edinburgher? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites