THE HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN

 

THE HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN

 

The old tollbooth and prison in Edinburgh, built in 1466 and demolished in 1817, was the infamous place where public executions took place and is the site of the Porteus Riots of 1736.   John Porteus was the captain of the city guard who ordered his troops to open fire on an unruly mob protesting at the execution of a popular smuggler.   Six people were killed and Porteus was subsequently condemned to death for their murders.   When a stay of execution was granted, the mob broke into the prison and lynched Porteus. 

Sir Walter Scott acquired the old door to the toolbooth and had it built into his home at Abbotsford.    His novel The Heart of Midlothian, relates to these events.

Granite blocks now form a curious heart shape in the roadway in Parliament Square marking the site of the old tollbooth.