Visit the Scottish Parliament

The home of Scottish democracy, open to visitors 6 days a week. Take a free guided tour, watch @ScotParl business taking place or visit our café and gift shop!

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

From Christmas decorations, sweet treats, books, tartan products and more... The Parliament shop is offering 15% off on the 3rd and 4th December! 🛍️🎄 #ScottishParliamentShop #ChristmasShopping #FestiveDiscount

[Scottish Parliament @ScotParl]

As we celebrate #WorldChildrensDay, we’re reminded that every child deserves to grow up in a world filled with love, understanding and happiness. 💛

Earlier this year, we joined the Children's Parliament to explore how we can keep children and young people’s human rights at the heart of everything we do at the Scottish Parliament.

👉 Hear their voices and see their vision in the full video here: https://t.co/HOXZre9t6e

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

With @scotparl in recess from 11-26 October, we’re extending our opening hours:

🏛️ Open Monday to Saturday, 10am–5pm
🎟️ Free guided and self-guided tours
🖼️ Exhibitions
🎨 Craft sessions for kids
☕ Café and shop open too

Plan your visit ➡️ https://t.co/97Awmlq6ga

[Scottish Parliament @ScotParl]

Has @scotparl's architectural design changed our expectations of democratic space?

Join us for a special evening in the final week of Enric Miralles: Creating the Scottish Parliament. Explore the exhibition after hours and join a thought-provoking panel discussion with leading voices from the creative arts.

🗓️ Monday 27 October 2025
🕔 5:00pm – 7:00pm
📍 The Scottish Parliament

This event is in partnership with the Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.

Tickets are free but limited. Book now!
https://t.co/W7HsCP65RB

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

Our usual Crafternoon schedule has been extended for October! ✂️🎨 Free drop-in craft sessions, all ages welcome! 🙌

🔗 https://t.co/aT9JTeJRnc

#Crafternoon #CraftSessions #FamilyCrafts #CreativeCommunity #DropInCrafts #AllAgesWelcome #OctoberEvents #ArtsAndCrafts

[What's On For Families @WhatsOnFamilies]

Looking for something fun to do with the kids during the October break? Then come along to these FREE arts and crafts sessions at the @VisitScotParl every day (except Sundays)! https://t.co/wph4avEhKO

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

🆕🖼️ Parliament under construction! 🏗️

Marking 26 years since @scotparl opened to the public, this drawing by Hazel Restall, made in the final months of construction, is now on display in the Main Hall.

Come and see it for yourself! 🤩

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

Who was Enric Miralles? @BeneTagliabue discusses her relationship with the @ScotParl architect. Find out more in the exhibition ⤵️

🖼️ Enric Miralles: Creating The Scottish Parliament
🗓️ Open until 30 October
📍 Free entry, Monday-Saturday

🔗 https://t.co/gzXVJwTAJU

[Presiding Officer @POScotParl]

Today we welcomed HRH The Princess Royal to @scotparl for the unveiling of a new portrait of His Majesty The King. 👑

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

@HighLordAdmiral A perfect score! 👏 We hope the bragging rights will do for now...

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

It's quiz time!🧠

The Scottish Parliament building is full of surprises... how many do you know?

Answers revealed Monday!

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

Answers have been revealed!🧠

Hope you enjoyed learning a little more about the @ScotParl building and all its hidden details.

Dive deeper into the design and story behind Holyrood at our new exhibition ➡️ https://t.co/GhH01DqxWR

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

It's quiz time!🧠

The Scottish Parliament building is full of surprises... how many do you know?

Answers revealed Monday!

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

It’s believed the shape of the MSPs’ windows (also called “thinkpods”) is inspired by the oil painting ‘The Skating Minister’ by Henry Raeburn, which hangs at the Scottish National Gallery.

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

Question 6: What are the MSPs office windows designed to resemble?

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

True! This bench is called the Lungomare Bench and was first designed by architect Enric Miralles in 1997. You’ll find it in cities around the world - it’s a signature feature of his work.

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

Question 5: True or false: the wave bench outside the buidling is a recurring feature in Miralles’ work?

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

The Rock Rose plant on the roof helps support the Northern Brown Argus butterfly, which lives nearby on Arthur’s Seat. Planting it here gives the butterflies more space to thrive!

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

Question 4: What’s the role of the Rock Rose plant that is in the rooftop landscaping?

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

There’s no wrong answer here! It’s always interesting hearing everyone’s different takes. The windows were actually designed to resemble leaves or the early Christian “vesica” shape.

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

Question 3: What do you think the Garden Lobby windows resemble?

Vote below, and if you've got your own take, reply and let us know!

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

Queensberry House has been a mansion, a hospital and a care home for the elderly. It was built in 1667, which means it’s been around for over 350 years and has had plenty of time to change roles.

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

Question 2: What was Queensberry House NOT used as?

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

There are two coins hidden in the building! A 20p is embedded in the ceiling of the Main Hall, and a 50p is tucked into a wall in the Garden Lobby. It’s believed they were placed there by the builders during construction.

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

Question 1: How many coins are embedded in the concrete of the building?

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

Question 6: What are the MSPs office windows designed to resemble?

[Visit the Scottish Parliament @VisitScotParl]

Question 5: True or false: the wave bench outside the buidling is a recurring feature in Miralles’ work?