Old Tolbooth

A heart shaped pattern of cobblestones in the road to the west of St Giles marks the site of the Old Tolbooth Prison. It stood here for over 400 years and was only demolished in 1817. The Tolbooth served originally as a booth for collecting tolls, a council chamber, a court house, a place of execution and a prison. It was also the principal site for the display of the heads and limbs of those executed.It is an Edinburgh tradition to spit on the Heart as you go by.