Scottish Parliament and Holyrood Palace

The Scottish Parliament was built in 1999 as a result of the Scotland Act 1998 which granted Scotland Devolution. The building has been at the centre of controversy since its conception. There are those who believe a native Scot should have been commissioned to design it, others who are horrified at its cost and others who love its crazy exterior – what are those bits of wood around the windows – contextual curtains or homage to a Walter Scott painting: who knows. What cannot be questioned are the new powers the Parliament has afforded Scotland. The horse-shoe debating chamber was designed to embrace the new age of openness, accountability, equality of opportunity and the sharing of power in Scottish politics. Have a look around and decide for yourself how this new building fits into the Edinburgh of today.

Right across the road from the Parliament sits the Palace of Holyrood. Originally built as a Monastery in 1128, this is now the Queen’s official residence in Scotland. The Queen holds all her State ceremonies and official entertaining here, but the public have access to the Palace throughout the year. Tickets have to be booked for a specific day, but a discounted ticket that covers the Palace, Holyroodhouse and the Queen’s Gallery is a good buy at £5.00 per adult and £3.00 per child.

If the weather is fine have a walk along to the Swan Pond at the bottom of Arthur’s Seat, the Swans take over the whole of this area and are always on the lookout for some spare bread. This is a lovely area to enjoy a picnic or if you are feeling energetic take a walk up to the top of Arthur’s Seat, a defunct volcanic rock. It is said that from the top of Arthur’s seat the Scottish Parliament looks like an upturned fishing boat and is more spectacular than from the ground.

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