The Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament building is a symbol of Scottish self-government and a striking modern building that you can explore in depth during your visit to Edinburgh.

A modern building for a new parliament

Scotland had its own parliament until the Act of Union in 1707, which merged it with England’s. But if you visit the UK today, you’ll find that, as well as the Westminster Parliament in London, Scotland has its own devolved parliament in Edinburgh.

Almost three centuries later, in a 1997 referendum, Scots voted overwhelmingly for a devolved parliament, with powers over many areas of policy, which first met in 1999. Construction then began on this new parliament building at the bottom of the Royal Mile, designed by the Catalan architect Enric Miralles, who sadly died before he could see it completed.

While they waited, MSPs held their debates in the General Assembly Hall on the Mound. After more than five years of work, and almost three years late, the new building opened in 2004. The old Parliament House, in Parliament Square, now houses Scotland’s highest courts.

Practical information

Opening hours

Monday to Saturday

9am–5pm

Entry

Free.

Inside the Scottish Parliament

You can join free guided tours of the Scottish Parliament, covering both the building’s architecture and the history and work of the Parliament.

The tour lasts about an hour and takes you through the main areas of the building, including the debating chamber, where you’ll be struck by the dramatic oak beams suspended from the ceiling above the members’ heads.

We recommend booking tours on the official website, although it may not be necessary on some days.

If you’re interested, you can also watch debates from the public gallery, held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays when Parliament is sitting. The building also hosts cultural events and exhibitions throughout the year.

A controversial design

The new Scottish Parliament was controversial from the start, especially because of its spiralling costs: initially budgeted at around £40 million, it ended up costing over £400 million.

Not everyone likes the design either. The building is a complex of connected spaces whose shapes are inspired by traditional Scottish elements, but its very modern look contrasts with the historic Old Town around it. Even so, it received excellent reviews from critics and some of the most important awards in British architecture. What do you think? Do you like it?

If you are interested in Scottish politics, modern architecture, or both, the Scottish Parliament is well worth a visit. Its location also makes it easy to combine with nearby sights such as the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Holyrood Park.