Visit the Scottish Parliament

30 November 2022|Read time 2 mins

The Scottish Parliament building is a magnificent construction located opposite the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Visit during your stay with us.

The cost of the building remains more controversial than any legislation passed within its walls. But, despite its set-backs, the Scottish Parliament has changed our sense of what it means to be Scottish. Even if that change is based more on the idea of parliament than its actual legislative powers.

Visit the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh

In a 1997 referendum, the people of Scotland voted by almost three to one for the creation of the first Scottish parliament. 

Catalan architect Enric Miralles was duly commissioned to design the building following an international competition .

Architect of the Scottish Parliament

Enric Miralles was born in Barcelona in 1955 and studied at the ETSAB, the architecture school of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia.

Miralles produced a tour de force, albeit one that overran its budget so much that a parliamentary inquiry was set up to look into the reasons why.

The parliament is an astonishment, especially to anyone old enough to remember the dark parkland on the site previously.

Scottish Parliament architecture

The building features leaf-shaped buildings, for which inspiration was taken from the surrounding area, grass roofing, gabion walls formed from the stone of previous buildings and shapes based on Raeburn's painting of a skating minister. 

But perhaps my favourite view of the building is from the sky, where you can see the roofs merge into one another like petalled turbines.

It is the first Scottish parliament in almost 300 years. 

Since its creation, I cannot help but notice new confidence in Scotland and growing pride in the country.

Devolved versus reserved Parliament matters

Completed in 2004, a mere three years late, the parliament has the power to pass laws affecting Scotland on 'devolved' matters. 

These include areas such as education, health, agriculture and justice. Other 'reserved' matters are dealt with by Westminster.

It also has the power to vary income tax in Scotland by three pence in the pound.

Guided tour of the Scottish Parliament

Tours of the Scottish Parliament take place throughout the week and it is recommended that visitors book in advance.

Follow the tour guide as they take you through the history and architecture of the building, as well as the inner workings of Scotland's Parliament.

If you do not have time to take a tour, visitors are welcome to explore the public areas of the Parliament, where they can explore exhibitions and even listen to a short 10-minute talk about the building. 

One particularly interesting exhibition is 'A Parliament for the People' which uses interactive exhibits to teach visitors the history of Scotland's Parliament.

There is also a café and shop to explore before you continue sightseeing in Edinburgh city centre.

Visit the Scottish Parliament 

With several self-catering properties close to the Scottish Parliament, Reserve Apartments is the ideal choice for your next trip to Edinburgh.