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==Governance and administration==
[[Image:Edinburgh Scottish Parliament01 2006-04-29.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Scottish Parliament building in April 2006]]
===Officials===
The '''Scottish Parliament Building''' is the home of the [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[Scottish Parliament|Parliament]] at [[Holyrood]], within the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] in [[Edinburgh]]. The [[Members of the Scottish Parliament]] (MSPs) held their first debate in the building on Tuesday, September 7, [[2004]] with the formal opening by [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] took place on October 9, 2004. [[Enric Miralles]], the [[Catalan people|Catalan]] architect who designed the building died during the course of its construction.<ref name="Death">{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/817635.stm |title=Scots Parliament architect dies |publisher=BBC |accessdate=2006-10-29}}</ref>
The [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]] is the head of the University. In Scotland, the role of Chancellor is viewed as a [[titular head|titular]] and non-resident one with the Chancellor acting as a figurehead for the University. The Office of Chancellor was established in 1858 and since that time, seven individuals have held the post. The current Chancellor of the University (since 1953) is [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh]]. Degrees are conferred by the Chancellor, or by the [[Principal (university)|Principal]] (Vice Chancellor), who upon appointment by the Chancellor, can confer degrees upon graduands in his absence. [[Timothy O'Shea|Professor Timothy O'Shea]] currently holds the post of Principal succeeding [[Stewart Sutherland, Baron Sutherland of Houndwood|Sir Stewart Sutherland]] in 2002. The Principal is the Chief Executive of the University.
The primary role of the [[Rector (University of Edinburgh)|Rector]] is to chair the University Court.<ref name="Rector">{{cite web |url=http://www.rector.ed.ac.uk/ |title=The Rector's Office |publisher=University of Edinburgh ''Rector's Office'' |accessdate=2007-01-12}}</ref> The Rector is elected by all the matriculated students of the University every three years.<ref name="Rector"/> [[Mark Ballard]], the [[Scottish Green Party]], [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]] for the [[Lothians (Scottish Parliamentary Electoral Area)|Lothians Region]], is the current Rector, having been elected to that post in ballot of students on [[16 February]] [[2006]].<ref name="Ballard">{{cite news |url=http://politics.guardian.co.uk/studentpolitics/story/0,,1712031,00.html |title=Green MSP elected new Edinburgh rector |author=Donald MacLeod |date=2006-02-17 |publisher=The Guardian |accessdate=2007-01-12}}</ref> He succeeded [[Tam Dalyell]], the former [[Scottish Labour Party]] politician to that role.<ref name="Ballard"/> The Rector is seen as an [[ombudsman]] for the University, and works closely with student representatives and EUSA.<ref name="Rector"/>
From 1999 until its opening in 2004, the Scottish Parliament was temporarily housed in the [[General Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland]] located on [[The Mound]] in Edinburgh. Office and administrative accommdation in support of the Parliament was provided in buildings leased from [[Edinburgh City Council]]. The new Scottish Parliament Building brought together these different elements into one purpose built parliamentary complex, housing 129 MSPs and over 1000 parliamentary staff and [[civil servants]].<ref name="Staff">{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/corporate/organisation/index.htm |title=Staff Organisation |publisher=Scottish Parliament |accessdate=2006-10-29}}</ref>
===Bodies===
From the outset, the building and its construction has proven to be highly controversial.<ref name="Queen">{{cite web |url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page4231.asp |title=Speech by HM The Queen on the opening of the New Scottish Parliament building: - "Certainly this new parliament building has had a difficult and controversial birth." |publisher=Royal.gov.uk |accessdate=2006-10-30}}</ref> The choice of ___location, architect, design and construction company have all been criticised by politicians, the media and the Scottish public.<ref name="ResearchPaper">{{cite web |url=
The governance of the University of Edinburgh, in common with all the other Ancient Universities of Scotland is delineated by [[statute]]. Under the terms of the [[Universities (Scotland) Act 1858]] as amended by the [[Universities (Scotland) Act 1966]], the ''[[University Court]]'' constitutes the supreme governing body and legal persona of the University.<ref name="Constitution">{{cite web |url=http://www.aaps.ed.ac.uk/Governance/constitution/Constitution.htm |title=Constitution of the University |publisher=University of Edinburgh ''Policy and Planning Department'' |accessdate=2007-01-12}}</ref> The University Court is chaired by the [[Rector]] who is elected by all the matriculated students of the University. Primarily, the functions of the Court are administrative and include the management of revenue, property and resources of the University, as well as the discipline and admission of students.<ref name="Constitution"/> The University Court meets five times a year.<ref name="Constitution"/> The 1966 Universities Act sets out the procedures by which the University Court can exercise its powers. These are by using "Ordinances" which require consultation with the Senatus Academicus, "Resolutions" which also require consultation or by "Simple Majority" of the Court.<ref name="Constitution"/>
http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/notes/snpc-03357.pdf |title=House of Commons Research Paper - Building the Scottish Parliament, The Holyrood Project |publisher=House of Commons Library |accessdate=2006-10-29}}</ref> Having been scheduled for opening in 2001,<ref name="ResearchPaper"/> when it finally opened, the building was over three years late with an estimated final cost of £431m,<ref name="FinalCost">{{cite web |url=
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-04/pa04-010.htm |title=Corporate Body issues February Report to Finance Committee |publisher=Scottish Parliament |accessdate=2006-10-30}}</ref> substantially higher than initial costings of between £10m and £40m.<ref name="ResearchPaper"/>
A subordinate body to the University Court is the ''Senatus Academicus'' which has powers over the academic affairs of the University.<ref name="Constitution"/> The Principal, all Professors of University, College Vice Principals, Librarians as well as a number of Lecturers, [[Reader (academic rank)|Readers]] and students form the membership of the Senatus.<ref name="Constitution"/> The Senatus has powers over the regulation of teaching and research, and also has the authority to discipline students. The body is responsible for authorising all degree programmes and the conferral of degrees on students is only done so upon the recommendation of the Senatus by the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, a Vice-Principal, or the most senior professor present.<ref name="Constitution"/> The Senatus meets five times per year.<ref name="Constitution"/>
==Location==
Comprising an area of 4 [[acre]]s, with a perimeter of 480m,<ref name="Site">{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/projHistory/HolyroodSiteSelected.htm |title=About Holyrood - Project History; Site Selected |publisher=Scottish Parliament |accessdate=2006-10-27}}</ref> the site of the parliament building is located 1km east of Edinburgh city centre in the [[Old Town, Edinburgh|Old Town]] of Edinburgh.<ref name="Map">{{cite web |url=http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?scale=5000&lon=-3.174722&lat=55.951944 |title=Map of ___location of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh |publisher=Multimap |accessdate=2006-10-27}}</ref> The large site previously housed the headquarters of the [[Scottish and Newcastle]] brewery which were demolished to make way for the construction of the parliament building. The boundary of the site is marked by the [[Canongate]] stretch of the [[Royal Mile]] on its northern side, Horse Wynd on its eastern side, in front of the public entrance to the building and Reid's Close on its western side. Reid's Close connects the Canongate and Holyrood Road on the southwestern side of the complex. The south eastern side of the complex is bounded by the [[Our Dynamic Earth]] visitor attraction which opened in July 1999, and Queen's Drive which fringes the slopes of the Salisbury Crags.
The General Council is the [[corporate body]] of all graduates and senior academics of the University of Edinburgh.<ref name="Constitution"/> The Council appoints the Chancellor
In the immediate vicinity of the parliament building is the [[Palace of Holyroodhouse]], which is the official Scottish residence of the Queen and is bordered by the broad expanse of [[Holyrood Park]]. To the south of the parliamentary complex are the steep slopes of the [[Salisbury Crags]] and [[Arthur's Seat]]. The [[Holyrood]] area, to the west of the site, has been extensively redeveloped since 1998, with retail, hotel and office developments including the new offices of [[The Scotsman]] group being constructed in recent years.
===Colleges and faculties===
==Project history==
[[Image:finalmodel.jpg|right|thumbnail|250px|The final design model of the Scottish Parliament Building, unveiled in September 1999.]]
Following the "Yes" vote on establishing a Scottish Parliament after a referendum in 1997, the [[Scottish Office]], led by the then [[Secretary of State for Scotland]] [[Donald Dewar]] decided that a new purpose built facility would be constructed in Edinburgh, to house the Scottish Parliament.<ref name="Choosingasite">{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/projHistory/choosingasite.htm |title=Timeline:Choosing a Site |publisher=Scottish Parliament |accessdate=2006-10-27}}</ref>
==Alumni==
Initially, 3 sites in and around Edinburgh were considered as possible locations for the building, including [[St Andrews House]] then home of the [[Scottish Office]] - later the [[Scottish Executive]]; Victoria Quay at [[Leith]] docks and [[Haymarket]] in the west end of the city.<ref name="Choosingasite"/> The Holyrood site was not an early contender as it was deemed that it would not be ready in the required timescale. However negotiations with Scottish and Newcastle, who owned the site, resulted in the company indicating that they would be able to vacate the site in early 1999. As a consequence the Secretary of State for Scotland agreed that the Holyrood site merited inclusion on the shortlist of sites.<ref name="Choosingasite"/> The Scottish Office commissioned feasibility studies of the specified sites in late 1997 and in January 1998, the Holyrood site was selected from the shortlist.<ref name="Timeline">{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3210729.stm |title=Timeline:Holyrood |publisher=BBC |accessdate=2006-10-27}}</ref>
[[Image:David Hume.jpg|thumb|right|The philosopher and theorist [[David Hume]] is amongst the notable alumni of the University of Edinburgh.]]
{{main|Alumni of the University of Edinburgh}}
The University has an alumnus of over 130,000 individuals.<ref name="Alumni">{{cite web |url=http://www.ed.ac.uk/alumni/ |title=Alumni |publisher=University of Edinburgh ''Alumni'' |accessdate=2007-01-12}}</ref> With over 80 alumni clubs and groups in Scotland and across the world, graduates of the University of Edinburgh are involved in all academic spheres from science to medicine, the arts and politics.<ref name="Network">{{cite web |url=http://www.edinburghcampaign.com/Network/Default.aspx?PageID=2 |title=The Alumni Network |publisher=University of Edinburgh ''The Edinburgh Campaign'' |accessdate=2007-01-12}}</ref> Edinburgh Alumni are involved in a range of campaigns and events including the ''Edinburgh Campaign'', which aims to raise £350m for student scholarships, facilities, teaching and research throughout the University.<ref name="Campaign">{{cite web |url=http://www.edinburghcampaign.com/Campaign/Default.aspx?PageID=1 |title=The University of Edinburgh Campaign |publisher=University of Edinburgh ''The Edinburgh Campaign'' |accessdate=2007-01-12}}</ref> A number of Edinburgh alumni have made significant contributions in the fields of government, law, academia, business, journalism, and athletics, among others.
[[Julius Nyerere]], the first [[President of Tanzania]], [[Charles Tupper]], former [[Prime Minister of Canada]] and [[Yun Po Sun]], former [[President of South Korea]] are amongst some of the most notable alumni who have been involved in the political sphere. UK politicians such as [[Gordon Brown]], the [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]],<ref>Bell et al (1999) p204</ref> [[Tessa Jowell]], the cabinet minister [[Douglas Alexander]], [[Malcolm Rifkind]] the former [[Foreign Secretary]], former [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland]][[Jim Wallace]] and past leader of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Scottish Conservative]] leader [[David McLetchie]] are also graduates of the University.
Following on from the site selection, the Scottish Office announced that an international competition would be held to find a designer for a new building to house the parliament. A design team was appointed under the chairmanship of Dewar and was tasked with choosing from a shortlist of proposed designs. Designs were submitted from world famous architects such as [[Rafael Vinoly]], [[Michael Wilford]] and [[Richard Meier]].<ref name="Designer">{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/projHistory/DesignerCompetition.htm |title=Designer Competition |publisher=Scottish Parliament |accessdate=2006-10-27}}</ref> Twelve designs were selected in March 1998, which was whittled down to five by the following May, with the five final designs put on public display throughout Scotland in June 1998. Feedback from the public displays showed that the designs of the [[Catalonia|Catalan]] architect [[Enric Miralles]] were amongst the most popular.<ref name="Choosingasite"/> The design team took account of public opinion on the designs<ref name="Choosingasite"/> and invited all 5 shortlisted entrants to make presentations on their proposed designs before announcing a winner.
In the fields of science and nature, the pioneering botanist [[Charles Darwin]],<ref>Bell et al (1999) p19</ref> the physicist [[James Clerk Maxwell]], [[James Dewar]], the inventor of the [[vacuum flask]], [[Joseph Lister]] whose path breaking work in the field of [[anaesthesia]] are most notable are amongst former graduates of the University. [[Alexander Graham Bell]], the [[telephone]] pioneer, the chemist [[Joseph Black]] and the noted [[surgeon]] [[Joseph Bell]] are all alumni of the University who have gained prominence in the fields of science, nature and medicine. The University also records a number of [[Nobel laureates]] amongst its alumni including [[James Mirrlees]], awarded the [[Nobel Prize for Economics]] in 1996, for his work on the economic problem of [[asymmetric information]]
On 6 July 1998, it was declared that the design of Enric Miralles was chosen, with work being awarded to EMBT/RMJM (Scotland) Ltd, a [[Spain|Spanish]]-Scottish joint venture design company, specifically created for the project. Construction on the building commenced in June 1999, with the demolition of the Scottish and Newcastle brewery and the beginning of foundation work to support the structure. MSP's began to move into the building in the Summer of 2004, with the offical opening by the Queen taking place in October of the same year.
==Notes and citations==
==Building features==
<div class="references-small">
[[Image:HolyroodStart.jpg|left|thumbnail|230px|An aerial view of the Scottish Parliament Building complex. The red tiles of Queensberry House are visible between the MSP Office block at the back of the complex and the Tower and Canongate Buldings at the front which house the debating chamber and committee rooms.]]
<references/>
The Parliament Building is actually a campus of several buildings, reflecting different architectural styles, with a total floor area of 31,000 m² (312,000 square feet),<ref name="Arup">{{cite web |url=http://www.arup.com/europe/project.cfm?pageid=4727 |title=Scottish Parliament, Holyrood, Edinburgh |publisher=Arup |accessdate=2006-10-30}}</ref> providing accommodation for MSPs, their researchers and parliamentary staff. The building is comprised of a variety of features, with the roof of Tower Builings said to be reminiscent of upturned boats on the shoreline. It is said that in the first design meeting, Miralles, armed with some twigs and leaves, thrust them onto a table and declared "This is the Scottish Parliament"<ref name="DesignBuild">{{cite web |url=http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/scottparliament/ |title=Scottish Parliament, Holyrood |publisher=Enric Miralles, Network |accessdate=2006-10-30}}</ref> reinforcing the unique and abstact nature of the parliamentary campus. Miralles also stated that:
</div class>
{{cquote2|The Parliament should be able to reflect the land it represents. The building should arise from the sloping base of Arthur's seat and arrive into the city almost surging out of the rock.|Enric Miralles 1999 |<ref name="Quote">{{cite web |url=http://www.arcspace.com/architects/miralles/parliament/ |title=Enric Miralles: The Scottish Parliament Debating Chamber |publisher=arcsoft.com |accessdate=2006-10-31}}</ref>|##px|##px}}
As a consequence the building has many features connected to nature and land, such as the leaf shaped motifs of the roof in the Garden Lobby of the building, and the large windows of the debating chamber, committee rooms and the Tower Buildings which face the broad expanse of Holyrood Park, Arthur's Seat and the Salisbury Crags. Inside the buildings, the connection to the land is symbolised by the use of Scottish rock such as [[gneiss]] and [[granite]] in the flooring and walls, and the use of oak and sycamore in the construction of the furniture.
==Debating Chamber==
[[Image:Scotparialmentinside.jpg|right|thumbnail|250px|View of debating chamber from the gallery.]]
The Debating Chamber contains a shallow horseshoe of seating for the MSPs, with the governing party sitting in the middle of the semicircle and opposition parties on either side, similar to other European legislatures. Such an elliptical layout, blurring political divisions, principally reflects the desire to encourage consensus amongst elected members.<ref name="ChamberSeating">{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/publicInfo/documents/Chamber.pdf |title=The Scottish Parliament Debating Chamber |publisher=Scottish Parliament |accessdate=2006-10-30}}</ref> This is contrasted with the "adverserial" layout, reminiscent of other Westminster style national legislatures including the [[British House of Commons]], where government and opposition sit across from one another. There are 131 desks and chairs on the floor of the chamber for all the elected members of the Scottish Parliament and members of the [[Scottish Executive]]. The desks are constructed out of oak and sycamore and are fitted with a lectern, microphone and in-built speakers as well as the electronic voting equipment used by MSPs. Galleries above the main floor can also accommodate a total of 255 members of the public, 18 guests, and 34 members of the press. The roof structure, is supported by a structure of [[Glued laminated timber|laminated]] [[oak]] beams joined at a total of 112 [[stainless steel]] connectors (each slightly different), which in turn are suspended on steel rods from the walls. Such a structure enables the debating chamber to span over 30m, without any supporting columns. In entering the chamber, MSPs pass under a stone lintel - the Arniston Stone - that was once part of the pre-[[1707]] parliament building, [[Parliament House, Edinburgh|Parliament Hall]]. The use of the Arniston Stone in the structure of the debating chamber symbolises the connection between the historical [[Parliament of Scotland]] and the present day Scottish Parliament.<ref name="SeomarDeasbaid">{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/building/debatingChamber.htm |title=Scottish Parliament, Debating Chamber |publisher=Scottish Parliament |accessdate=2006-10-30}}</ref> Cut into the western wall of the debating chamber are laminated glass panels, of different shapes, intended to give a human dimension to the chamber.<ref name="ChamberSeating"/> At night, light is shone through the glass panels and is projected onto the MSPs desks to create the impression that the chamber is never unoccupied.<ref name="ChamberSeating"/>
==MSP building==
[[Image:ScottishParliament.jpg|right|thumbnail|250px|The distinctive windows of the MSP building inspired by Henry Raeburn's famous painting - the Skating Minister.]]
The MSP building is connected to the Tower Buildings by way of the "Garden Lobby" and stands at the western end of the parliamentary complex, adjoining Reid's Close.<ref name="MSPBlock">{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/building/mspBuilding.htm |title=Scottish Parliament, MSP Building |publisher=Scottish Parliament |accessdate=2006-10-30}}</ref> The block contains offices for each MSP and two members of staff, fitted out with custom designed furniture.<ref name="MSPBlock"/> The building is between four and six storeys in height, and is clad in [[granite]] [[mosaic]].<ref name="MSPBlock"/> MSPs occupy 108 of the total 114 rooms in the building.<ref name="MSPBlock"/> The most distinctive feature of the MSP block is its unusual windows which project out from the building onto the western elevation of the parliamentary complex, said to be inspired by [[Henry Raeburn]]'s painting ''"[[The Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch]]"''.<ref name="BuildingWindows">{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3438563.stm |title=MSPs complain of daylight robbery |publisher=BBC |accessdate=2006-12-06}}</ref> In each office, these bay windows have a window seat and shelving, which have been called "contemplation spaces" or "think pods".<ref name="MSPBlock"/> Constructed from stainless steel and framed in oak, with oak lattices covering the front of the windows, the windows are designed to provide MSPs with privacy and shade from the sun.<ref name="MSPBlock"/> Criticism has been levelled, at the design of the windows, by the MSPs themselves who cite that the design blocks out natural light from their offices.<ref name="BuildingWindows"/> To remove the uniformity from the western side of the building, the windows jut out from the façade of the building at different widths and angles.<ref name="MSPBlock"/> At its north end, the building is six storeys high (ground floor plus five) stepping down to four storeys (ground floor plus three) at the south end.<ref name="MSPBlock"/> Each office is divided into two parts - one for the MSP, with a floor space of 15 square metres<ref name="MSPBlock"/> and another part for their staff, which has a floor space of 12 square metres.<ref name="MSPBlock"/>
==Other buildings==
Four tower buildings fan out along the front, or eastern edge of the parliamentary complex and are notable for the curvature of their roofs. The Tower Building is home to the public entrance to the Scottish Parliament and to the Main Hall and is located on the eastern side of the parliamentary complex, beneath the debating chamber. A stone vaulted ceiling is the principal feature of the Main Hall, which has cross like representations carved into it reminiscent of the Scottish [[saltire]] - the national flag of Scotland. The main hall contains permanent exhibtions on the role of the Scottish Parliament, as well as public seating, visitor information desk, shop, lockers and creche. Like much of the parliamentary complex, the materials used to construct the Main Hall and its vaulted ceiling include Kemnay Granite from [[Aberdeenshire]] in north east Scotland and [[Caithness]] stone which is used in much of the flooring in the buildings. Connected to the Tower Buildings in the eastern portion of the complex is the Canongate Buildings, which house the IT and procurement departments of the parliament building as well as media offices and the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe). The centrepiece of the Canongate Building is a two-storey cantilever structure, with the building connected at one end by reinforced concrete and 18m of the building suspended above ground and protruding outwards unsupported by any columns.<ref name="Canongate">{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/building/canongateBuildings.htm |title=The Scottish Parliament - Canongate Buildings |publisher=Scottish Parliament |accessdate=2006-10-31}}</ref>
Originally dating from [[1667]], [[Queensberry House]] is an example of a [[seventeenth century]] [[Georgian]] Edinburgh townhouse, and contrasts with the modern architecture of the rest of the parliamentary complex.<ref name="QueenberryHouse">{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/building/queensberryHouse.htm |title=Queensberry House |publisher=Scottish Parliament |accessdate=2006-11-30}}</ref> For much of its modern history, Queensberry House was variously used as a hospital, army barracks refuge and geriatric hospital.<ref name="QueenberryHouse"/> In 1996, the geriatric hospital closed and the building was incorporated into the Scottish and Newcastle brewery, who owned the surrounding site. The building has been extensively refurbished, and returned to its original height of 3 storeys to provide facilities for the Presiding Officer, Deputy Presiding Officers, the Chief Executive, and various parliamentary support staff. Internally and externally the building has been strengthened, with reinforced steel and concrete throughout. The original timber flooring has been replaced throughout with a mixture of carpet, vinyl, oak and Caithness stone.<ref name="QueenberryHouse"/> Queensberry House also contains the Donald Dewar Room, dedicated to the first [[First Minister of Scotland]] who died in October 2000. The room hosts the personal collection of books and other memorablia donated to the Parliament, by the family of Donald Dewar after his death.<ref name="DonaldDewarRoom">{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/building/DewarRoom.htm |title=Donald Dewar Room |publisher=Scottish Parliament |accessdate=2006-11-30}}</ref>
The Garden Lobby is the centre of the complex and connects the debating chamber, committee rooms and administrative offices of the Tower Buildings, with Queensberry House and the MSP building.
==Artwork and features==
[[Image:CanongateQuote.JPG|left|thumbnail|250px|The Canongate Wall facade of the parliamentary complex has quotations inscribed onto pieces of rock.]]
On many of the buildings there are a series of 'trigger panels', constructed out of timber or granite. These have been variously said to represent anvils, hairdryers, guns, question marks or even the [[hammer and sickle]], but shortly after the building's official opening Enric Miralles' widow, Benedetta Tagliabue, revealed that the design is simply that of a window curtain pulled back.<ref name="Benedetta">{{cite web |url=http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=177&id=1201712004 |title=Benedetta lifts curtain mystery |publisher=The Scotsman |accessdate=2006-11-03}}</ref>
Beneath the façade Canongate Building is the Canongate Wall, constructed from a variety of indigenous Scottish rocks such as [[Lewisian gneiss]], [[sandstone|Torridian sandstone]] and [[Easdale]] [[slate]]. The stones are set into large concrete casts, with each stone inscribed with a quotation. There are a total of 24 quotations<ref name="CanongateWall">{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/faq/answers/art006.htm |title=Scottish Parliament, Canongate Wall |publisher=Scottish Parliament |accessdate=2006-10-30}}</ref> on the Canongate Wall. Etched along the lower stretch of the wall is a pictoral representation of the [[Old Town, Edinburgh|Old Town]] of Edinburgh based around a sketch by Enric Miralles showing the view of the Old Town as seen from his bedroom window in the [[Balmoral Hotel]].<ref name="CanongateWall"/>
The Main Hall of the parliament contains a number of distinctive features and sculptures, including the gold plated "Honours of Scotland" sculpture in the public area of the parliament. Presented by the Queen, upon the opening of the parliament building, the sculpture is based on the actual [[Honours of Scotland]] - the [[crown]], [[sceptre]] and the [[sword]] of the state and combines these three separate elements into one composition.<ref name="Honours">{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/faq/answers/art011.htm |title=Your questions answered - art |publisher=Scottish Parliament |accessdate=2006-11-03}}</ref> During meetings of the original Parliament of Scotland, the actual Honours were always present but since 1819 have been permanently housed in [[Edinburgh Castle]].<ref name="Honours"/>
==Reaction and Controversy==
Public reaction to the design of the building has been mixed. In the first 6 months of the building being open to the public, 250,000 people visited the building, which [[Presiding Officer]] [[George Reid (Scottish politician)|George Reid]] has said showed the public were "voting with their feet" [http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-05/pa05-019.htm]. Critics of the building, such as [[Margo MacDonald]], have pointed at that the high number of visitors do not prove that all of them like the building. Architectural critics have generally given the building highly favourable reviews.
The building has won a number of awards, including an award at the VIII Biennial of Spanish Architecture, [[Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland#RIAS Award for Architecture|RIAS Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture]], and, most notably, the [[Stirling Prize]], Britain's highest architecture award. The inclusion of the Scottish Parliament Building onto the shortlist for the [[Stirling Prize]] in 2004, led the judges describing the building as "a statement of sparkling excellence"<ref name="Sparkling">{{cite web |url=http://arts.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,11711,1537143,00.html |title=Scottish Parliament shortlisted for Stirling Prize |publisher=The Guardian |accessdate=2006-10-29}}</ref>
[[Image:Wfm scottish parliament construction.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The construction of [[Enric Miralles]]' elaborate new Scottish Parliament Building adjacent to [[Holyrood Park]]. The red [[tile]]d building is [[Queensberry House]]. Above and behind the new parliament is the [[neoclassical]] [[Royal High School]], which was prepared for a [[devolved]] [[Scottish Assembly]] in the 1970s, but because of a [[Scotland Act 1978|failed referendum]] it was never used.]]
[[Image:Scotparliamentview.jpg|thumb|right|250px|View of the Parliament building from [[Calton Hill]], with [[Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh|Arthur's seat]] in the background]]
[[Image:ScottishParliamentReidsCloseNov05.JPG|thumb|right|250px|View from Reid's Close of MSPs offices (left), plus the Salisbury Crags and the [[Our Dynamic Earth]] building (centre)]]
The construction of the Parliament Building proved controversial in a number of respects: the decision to construct a new building, the choice of site, the selection of a non-[[Scotland|Scottish]] architect, the selection of Bovis as construction manager after having earlier been excluded from the shortlist, and serious cost and time overruns.
The then [[Secretary of State for Scotland]] [[Donald Dewar]] was adamant that a new building should be provided for the new Parliament. Work commenced in late [[1997]] with the demolition of a brewery on the chosen site. The alternative site of the Royal High School was rejected on grounds of size and ___location.
The project was also complicated by the deaths in [[2000]] of Miralles and Dewar, and existence of a multi-headed client (consisting of the [[Scottish Parliament Corporate Body]], the [[Presiding Officer]], and an architectural advisor), who took over the project from the [[Scottish Executive]] (formerly the Scottish Office) while it was already under construction.
By March 2004 the architects had issued around 18,000 orders for changes in the design, and the cost had reached the sum of 430 million [[Pound Sterling|pounds]] (compared to an original budget of 55 million in July 1998 when the architects were appointed). This equates to 85 pounds for each of the five million people in [[Scotland]] [http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/grosweb/grosweb.nsf/pages/poprep1]. Final costs are expected to come in around £470 million once teething problems have been ironed out in the building's first year.
==Fraser Inquiry==
In May 2003 First Minister [[Jack McConnell]] announced a major [[public inquiry]] into the handling of the building project, headed by [[Peter Fraser, Lord Fraser of Carmyllie|Lord Fraser of Carmyllie]]. The inquiry was held at the [[Land Court]] in Edinburgh and took evidence from architects, civil servants, politicians and the building companies.
In presenting his report in September 2004, Lord Fraser stated that he was astonished that year after year the ministers who were in charge were kept so much in the dark over the increases in cost estimates. He also stated that the building could never have been built for 50 million pounds, and that he was amazed that the belief that it could be was perpetuated for so long. He believed that from at least April 2000, when MSPs commissioned the Spencely
Report to decide whether the building should continue, it should have been realised that the building was bound to cost in excess of 200 million pounds. Furthermore, approximately 150 million pounds of the final cost was wasted as a result of design delays, over-optimistic programming and uncertain authority.
Among the criticisms were:
*Despite having only an outline design, the designers RMJM/EMBT (Scotland) Ltd stated without foundation that the building could be completed within a 50 million pound budget. Despite that, they were apparently believed by officials. The two architectural practices in the RMJM and EMBT joint venture operated dysfunctionally, and failed to communicate effectively with each other and the project manager. The death of Miralles also gave rise to a substantial period of disharmony.
*The Brief emphasised the importance of design and quality over quality and programme, and was not updated despite considerable evolution of the design.
*Ministers were not informed of grave concerns within the Scottish Office over the cost of the project, and officials failed to take the advice of the cost consultants.
*The Scottish Office decided to let the construction work as a "construction management contract", rather than under the [[Private Finance Initiative]] in order to speed construction, but without properly evaluating the financial risks of doing so, and - in a decision that Fraser stated "beggars belief" - without asking Ministers to approve it. This was one of the two most flawed decisions.
*The second most flawed decision was the insistence on a rigid programme. Officials decided that rapid delivery of the new building was to be the priority, but that quality should be maintained. It was therefore inevitable that the cost would suffer. The client was obsessed with early completion and failed to understand the impact on cost and completion date if high-quality work and a complex building were required. In attempting to achieve early completion, the management contractor produced optimistic programmes, to which the architects were unwise to commit. The main causes of the slippage were delays in designing a challenging project that was to be delivered against a tight timetable using an unusual procurement route.
===Reaction to the report===
Following the report Jack McConnell stated that the Fraser recommendations would be fully implemented, and that
fundamental reform of the Civil Service was already underway, with trained professionals being recruited to handle such projects in future. John Elvidge, the top civil servant in Scotland, admitted that best practice had not been followed and apologised for the way the project had been handled. He did not rule out the possibility of taking disciplinary action against civil service staff.
===Fraser recommendations===
In his report, Lord Fraser set out a number of recommendations stemming from his inquiry. The recommendations cover the:
#Selection of designers, consultants or contractors
#Use of international architects
#Use of "construction management" contracts
#Importance of following [[European Union]] procurement rules
#Use of independent professional advisers
#Project governance
#Amendments to Scottish legislation
#Security measures
#Amendment of the procedures of the Scottish Parliament
#Importance of contracts, bonds and guarantees.
==Further Problems==
On March 2 2006, a beam in the roof of the [[Scottish Parliament]] collapsed during a debate, causing the evacuation of the debating chamber and the suspension of business.<ref name="Roof">{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4766552.stm |title=Holyrood Business halted by beam |publisher=BBC |accessdate=2006-10-27}}</ref>
Parliament moved to other premises while the whole roof structure was inspected. and remedial works were carrried out. The structural engineers, Arup, stated that the problem with the collapsed beam was entirely due to the failure of one bolt and the absence of another. There was no design fault.
For two weeks following the collapse, full sessions of parliament moved to [[The Hub (Edinburgh)|The Hub]], a converted church near [[Edinburgh Castle]]. Subsequently, business shifted to two Holyrood committee rooms that were converted into a makeshift chamber for two weeks before the Easter recess. Business returned to the debating chamber on May 12.
The final snag list for Scottish Parliament building, made before responsibility for repairs passed from the building contractors to the parliament, identified 890 outstanding snags.
[[Image:Scottish Parliament01 2005-11-13.jpg|thumb|center|800px|Debating chamber, showing the viewing gallery and roof construction.]]
==Notes==
<References/>
==References==
*BainAnderson, SR.D, Lynch, M & Phillipson, N (20042003): "HolyroodThe -University Theof InsideEdinburgh: StoryAn Illustrated History, 1582-present", Edinburgh University Press, {{ISBN |0-7486207486-651646-62}}
*Horn, D (1967): "Short History of the University of Edinburgh, 1556-1889", Edinburgh University Press, {{ISBN|0-8522-4152-6}}
*Balfour, A & McCrone, G (2005): "Creating a Scottish Parliament", StudioLR, ISBN 0-955001-60-9
*Bell, G et al (1999): "Edinburgh University Worthies", Edinburgh University Library, {{ISBN|0-9071-8229-1}}
*Black, D (2001): "All the First Minister's Men - The truth behind Holyrood", Birlinn, ISBN 1-841581-67-4
*Birse, R.A (1994): "Science at the University of Edinburgh, 1583-1993", University of Edinburgh,Faculty of Science & Engineering. {{ISBN|0-9522-8831-1}}
*Dardanelli, P (2005): "Between Two Unions: Europeanisation and Scottish Devolution", Manchester University Press, ISBN 0-719070-80-5
*TaylorDavie, BrianG (1999): "The ScottishDemocratic ParliamentIntellect: Scotland and Her Universities in the Nineteenth Century", Polygon, Edinburgh University Press, {{ISBN 1|0-9029307486-121274-62}}
*TaylorFraser, BrianA.G (20021989): "The ScottishBuilding Parliamentof Old College: TheAdam, RoadPlayfair toand Devolutionthe University of Edinburgh", Edinburgh University Press, {{ISBN |0-7486177486-590124-04}}
*TaylorLynch, BrianM (20022001): "Scotland'sThe Parliament,Oxford TriumphCompanion andto DisasterScottish History", EdinburghOxford University Press, {{ISBN |0-74861719-78211696-7}}
*Mackenzie, J.E (2003): "University of Edinburgh Roll of Honour 1914-1919", Naval & Military Press Ltd, {{ISBN|1-8434-2469-X}}
==See also==
*[[Building construction]]
*[[List of buildings]]
*[[Architecture]]
==External links==
{{commons|Category:Scottish Parliament|Scottish Parliament}}
:Parliament
*[http://www.holyrood.tv/ Live feeds from Scottish Parliament]
:The Fraser Report:
*[http://www.holyroodinquiry.org/ Lord Fraser's report]
*[http://scotlandtoday.scottishtv.co.uk/content/default.asp?page=s1_1_1&newsid=5131&newsType= Reaction of the political parties on Scotland Today]
*[http://scotlandtoday.scottishtv.co.uk/content/mediaassets/video/150904elvidge_56k.rm Interview with John Elvidge (.ram file)]
:The architecture:
*[http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/critic/feature/0,1169,1228369,00.html Review of the building in The Guardian newspaper]
*[http://www.rmjm.com/scp/default.asp RMJM Architects website on the project]
*[http://www.merouk.co.uk/structures/2004scottishparliament.htm Article on construction of various elements of the building]
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{{Buildings and Structures in Edinburgh}}
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