The Secret of the Scottish Luckenbooth

The Luckenbooth brooch was so called because it was sold from "locked booths" on the Royal Mile adjacent to St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the early 1700s. Traditionally, it was exchanged between lovers on betrothal.

The Luckenbooth was also pinned on the shawl of newborn babies to protect them from "evil spirits." And in this way, it has been passed down from generation to generation in Scottish families, and has become a valuable heirloom as symbol of love and protection.

The intertwining hearts or inscribed phrases such as "of earthly joys thou art my choice" are evidence of its purpose, and a surmounting crown is symbolic of Mary Queen of Scots.

The Luckenbooth is probably the most important romantic and lovely type of brooch in Scotland's history, and makes a particularly perfect and unusual present for an engagement, wedding, birthday or baby gift.