Home to the devolved Scottish Parliament, the building was formally opened by Elizabeth II in 2004 after building commenced in 1999. It’s been a controversial building since the very start – I can remember the seemingly endless pieces about it in the news at the time – everything from the location, architect and most significantly the design was a hot topic of debate. It was over three years late and estimated to cost a truly staggering £414 million, just a bit out from its £10-40 million estimate! You can go on free tours of the building, the work of government permitting, but I just paid a flying visit here on my way back up the Royal Mile from visiting Holyrood Palace.
The eventual design was that of low lying buildings that are supposed to blend in to the surroundings. One of the controversial elements were these panels – there have been lots of interpretations of their design the most popular being of a skating figure though the architect’s widow said they are representative of pulled back curtains. I quite like them.
The Canongate Wall holds varieties of stones of Scottish rocks inscribed with quotations from famous Scots. There are 25 in total though I only photographed a handful.
If you do want to go on a tour inside the building you can find the details here.
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