Edinburgh City Council hosted a Civic Reception to celebrate Heart of Midlothian Football Club’s 150th Anniversary.
The event, held at the City Chambers and led by Lord Provost RT Hon Robert Aldridge, brought together key figures from the club’s past and present.
Coinciding with the 900th anniversary of Edinburgh’s status as a city, it was a night in celebration of a century and a half of triumph, tragedy, and adventure for Edinburgh’s oldest football club.
Hearts Chairman Ann Budge, alongside first team squad, staff, and fellow directors, were in attendance as the Lord Provost raised a toast to the club’s contribution to the city’s story since our inception in 1874.
Tracking the journey from the Royal Mile to Gorgie and the club’s home at Tynecastle Park, Ann reflected on the role that Heart of Midlothian has played in the lives of many generations of citizens across the city.
With the words of the Hearts’ Song as her inspiration, she spoke fondly of the club’s successes on and off the pitch, before paying a poignant tribute to the heroes that volunteered for McCrae’s Battalion in 1914.
Speaking at the event, Robert Aldridge, the Rt Hon Lord Provost, said: “On behalf of the city, I congratulate Heart of Midlothian Football Club on reaching its 150th anniversary. This remarkable milestone highlights the Club's dedication, talent, and drive to remain competitive in Scotland and beyond.
“As one of Scotland's oldest clubs, Hearts has been a proud Edinburgh institution since 1874, evolving from playing on the Meadows to the iconic Tynecastle.
"The world-class Hearts Academy is a key factor in the Club's success, particularly in the rise of Hearts Women, now competing in the SWPL under Eva Olid's leadership.
“As the largest fan-owned club in the UK, ‘community’ is at the heart of everything the Club does - with over 9,000 people benefiting from initiatives and over 10,000 volunteer hours dedicated to supporting local causes.
"As we celebrate the contribution that Hearts has made to the lives of so many generations of citizens who have supported the Club through times of triumph, and time of challenge - we look forward to another 150 years of success on and off the field.”
