Information
Landmark: Scottish ParliamentCity: Edinburgh
Country: United Kingdom
Continent: Europe
Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, Europe
Overview
The Scottish Parliament is Scotland’s own devolved legislature, making laws on everything from health and education to justice, and keeping a close watch on the work of the Scottish Government.You’ll find it at the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh, right beside Holyrood Palace where the Royal Mile comes to a quiet stop.The building stands as an architectural landmark, its stone façade catching the grey light, and it’s at the heart of Scotland’s political life.The Scottish Parliament began in the 12th century, taking shape under King David I’s rule, when stone castles still rose above the misty hills.In medieval Scotland, it grew into a key institution, shaping laws, setting taxes, and managing the delicate balance between the crown and the nobles.Then in 1707, after the Acts of Union, Parliament closed its doors for the last time as Scotland joined with England to form Great Britain.From that point, Scotland came under the authority of the UK Parliament in Westminster, London, with no parliament of its own.In the 20th century, as demands for devolution grew louder-calls to shift certain powers north to Edinburgh-the idea of a Scottish Parliament returned.A 1997 referendum sealed it: most Scots voted yes, and the parliament was brought back.In 1999, Scotland held its first elections, and the new Parliament began working with devolved powers over health, education, and transport, while London kept control of foreign affairs and defense.Five years later, the striking Scottish Parliament Building-designed by Enric Miralles, with its jagged roofline catching the light-opened its doors.The building, with its sharp glass angles catching the afternoon sun, stands as a modern architectural masterpiece that’s drawn both praise for its bold design and criticism for its steep construction costs.The Scottish Parliament Building sits at the base of Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, right beside Holyrood Palace and looking straight up the Royal Mile.Set at the foot of Holyrood Park, the site underscores the link between Scotland’s historic monarchy and its present-day democracy.The Parliament’s design captures the country’s unique identity, its curves and materials echoing the hills and textures just beyond its walls.The design mixes flowing organic lines with sharp angles and sleek modern materials, while nodding to Scottish traditions in stone, timber, and glass.Its standout feature is a sweeping curved façade, echoing the soft rise of the nearby hills.Stone cladding was chosen to capture the raw, weathered feel of the Scottish hills.The roof garden, alive with greenery, opens onto sweeping views of the park and the skyline of Edinburgh.Above it all, the striking canopy seems to hover in midair, a signature element of the parliament’s architecture.Yet the building’s steep costs and daring, unconventional style sparked heated debate from the start.First pegged at £40 million, the project’s cost soared past £400 million, sparking sharp criticism over the runaway budget.Its bold, angular design drew both admiration and scorn.Some admired its bold, inventive design, but others thought it clashed with the weathered stone and narrow closes of Edinburgh’s Old Town and the Holyrood area.Since then, the building’s earned praise for its inventive architecture and the way it blends into the surrounding hills, and the Scottish Parliament holds the authority to make laws on a wide range of devolved issues.These cover everything from healthcare and education to transport, housing, environmental policy, and justice-the everyday stuff that shapes how we live.The Scottish Parliament can’t pass laws on reserved matters-things like foreign affairs, defense, or immigration-which stay under the control of the UK Parliament.Any Act it passes needs Royal Assent before it becomes law, but that step’s mostly ceremonial, like a signature on paper.Members then choose a First Minister to lead the Scottish Government, also known as the Executive.The First Minister is usually the head of the party with the most seats in Parliament.Scotland’s government carries out policies and provides services in devolved areas-like healthcare and education-and works with Parliament to shape and pass laws on those matters.The Parliament itself has 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament, or MSPs, elected every five years.Members are chosen through a mixed-member proportional system, blending first-past-the-post for local MSPs with proportional representation for regional ones.The Presiding Officer leads the Parliament, keeping debates orderly, the rules intact, and the chamber running as smoothly as a well-oiled gavel.MSPs choose the Presiding Officer from their own ranks.The Parliament meets often-sometimes with papers scattered across desks-to debate new laws, question the government’s actions, and tackle the big issues facing Scotland.Question Time is a central moment in the parliamentary session, when the First Minister and other ministers face questions from MSPs on policies and issues shaping Scotland-from transport delays to healthcare reforms.The Parliament also works through committees that dig into specific topics like public health, schools, or the economy.Committees collect evidence, examine bills in detail, and pass their recommendations to the full Parliament.At the building’s heart sits the Debating Chamber, a bright, wood-lined hall where MSPs gather to debate laws, shape policy, and tackle the country’s pressing issues.The chamber’s semi-circular layout invites open conversation between members and the public, while sunlight spills across warm wooden panels and sleek, modern furniture.Wood brings to mind the feel of traditional Scottish craftsmanship, while sleek lines and panes of clear glass create an open, transparent atmosphere.From the public gallery above the debating chamber, visitors can watch every moment of the proceedings below.The Parliament building feels imposing, with its tall stone columns catching the afternoon light.
