- Cost of all visits to the Scottish Parliament, including guided tours
- Free
- Length of the guided tour
- 45 minutes
- Date of the formal opening by Queen Elizabeth II
- 9 October 2004
What it is and whether it is worth your time
The Scottish Parliament building stands opposite the Palace of Holyroodhouse, at the foot of the Royal Mile. It was designed by Enric Miralles with EMBT and RMJM. MSPs, the parliament’s members, first debated there in September 2004, and Queen Elizabeth II formally opened it on 9 October 2004. Wikipedia lists the Stirling Prize in 2005 among its awards, and a final cost of £414 million against an early estimate of £10m to £40m.
It is worth an hour if you like modern buildings or want to see how Scotland is governed. It is free, so the risk is low. It is a working parliament, not a museum, so hours and access can change at short notice.
What to see and how long to allow
A self-guided visit takes you through the public areas, including the Main Hall, some of the art collection and the permanent exhibition, A Parliament for the People. The Parliament suggests 1 to 2 hours. Pick up a visitor map in the Main Hall. Free 10-minute talks run through the day on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The guided tour is free and takes 45 minutes. Book it through the Parliament’s ticketing partner, CitizenTicket. The route is wheelchair accessible.
To watch politics rather than architecture, go on a sitting day. Chamber business and committee meetings run Tuesday to Thursday and are open to the public. Advance booking is optional for those. First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) is on Tuesdays and Thursdays and does need booking.
Tickets and opening hours
Check the plan your visit page and the tours page, checked October 2026.
- Entry: free. No booking is needed to walk in.
- Hours: listed Monday to Saturday only. In sitting weeks, Monday, Friday and Saturday run 10am to 5pm with last entry at 4:30pm, and Tuesday to Thursday run 9am to 6:30pm with last entry at 6pm. During recess, every opening day runs 10am to 5pm.
- Tours: free, 45 minutes. Check the booking calendar for days and times.
- FMQs: Tuesday 2:30pm to 3pm and Thursday 2pm to 2:30pm. It does not take place during recess.
- Café and shop: the Parliament Café is open to all visitors and the shop is open Monday to Saturday.
The Parliament warns that hours, tours, exhibitions and access to parts of the building may change at short notice because of parliamentary business.
Security and visiting rules
Everyone goes through security. It should only take a few minutes, and the Parliament suggests arriving 20 minutes before an event, or an hour before FMQs. Staff may ask to see ID.
- No protests inside. Banners, flags and political slogans are not allowed.
- No smoking. Eat and drink only in the restaurants.
- Wear your visitor pass and lanyard, and hand them back when you leave.
- Lockers and baggage storage are available.
- In the public galleries, switch devices off, stay quiet and do not take photos, video or recordings during meetings.
Getting there from Holyrood
It is across the road from the palace, on Horse Wynd. Dynamic Earth is next door. Lothian Buses service 35 stops outside on the Canongate at a stop called Scottish Parliament. Edinburgh Waverley station is about a 15-minute walk away, the Parliament says. Our getting there guide covers the wider options.
One practical tip
If you want the debate, plan around the sitting pattern. FMQs tickets are released one week ahead, and every booking needs each person’s full name and home address. Tickets are collected at the visitor desk, and the collector’s details must match. Allow for the hour-early arrival.
For the building alone, any open day works, and you can walk in without a ticket.
How it fits with a Holyrood visit
Pair it with the palace. The main Holyrood guide explains the palace itself, and tickets and tours shows how to book. A free Parliament visit makes a good second stop before or after the palace, or a wet-weather option. Next door, Dynamic Earth suits families.
