A special plaque has been unveiled near the Meadows commemorating the first ever Edinburgh Derby.
The start of the rivalry between Hibernian FC and Heart of Midlothian began on Christmas Day 150 years ago (25 December, 1875), with the game taking place in the East Meadows.
That special occasion was officially marked on Thursday 8 January, 2026 with a plaque situated outside 7 Boroughloch Lane overlooking the site where this historic fixture was first contested.
The unveiling was attended by Hibernian FC’s Sporting Director Malky Mackay, Ambassador Pat Stanton, U19 Head Coach Darren McGregor, and Men’s First Team Captain Joe Newell.
Also present representing Hearts were CEO Andrew McKinlay, Finance Director Euan Forbes and Principal Ambassador Gary Locke,
The match itself was Hibs’ first recorded game. The Hibernian players changed at Lothian Street School, then carried the goalposts down to the pitch.
An information board at the start of Jawbone Walk, where the Meadows borders Melville Drive reveals that “Boys guarded the best of several pitches until kick-off while two sticks with a tape on top served as a goal.
It adds that “tee-total Hibs donned their white shirts with the emblem of a harp in a local school”.
Hearts changed into their white strip at Anderson’s Tavern in West Crosscauseway “where they no doubt also celebrated their victorious goal after the game which was watched by a crowd of hundreds”.
A single column on page seven of The Scotsman the following day read “HIBERNIAN v. HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN. – Played in the East Meadows and resulted in a win for the Heart of Mid-Lothian of one goal to nothing. The Mid-Lothian played with three men short for the first twenty minutes. Cavanagh and Byrne played well for the Hibernian – J. Wylie and Laidlaw for the Mid-Lothian.”
The bespoke bronze commemorative plaque was designed and created by Brian Castor at local foundry Powderhall Bronze Ltd. It reads:
“This plaque marks the site of the first recorded ‘Edinburgh Derby’ football match between Heart of Midlothian Football Club and Hibernian Football Club, 25th December 1875.”
