Media Briefing Note
0622004
6 October 2004
OPENING OF THE NEW SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT BUILDING SATURDAY 9 OCTOBER 2004
The following is a detailed breakdown of events for the Opening of the new Scottish Parliament building by Her Majesty The Queen on Saturday 9 October.
10.00am The Royal Company of Archers, preceded by the Highland Band of The Scottish Division, depart Hunter's Square for Parliament Square West for a Guard of Honour line up for the arrival of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
The Highland Band play the National Anthem.
Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are met by the Lord Provost Lesley Hinds, Lord-Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh and Mr Hinds.
The Lord-Lieutenant presents:
The Rt Hon Jack McConnell MSP , the First Minister of Scotland
and
George Reid MSP, the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament
10.30am The Presiding Officer escorts The Queen and the Deputy Presiding Officers escort The Duke of Edinburgh to Parliament Hall.
Fanfare “Royale” by Major W. Jackson is played in Parliament Hall by the State Trumpeters.
All present in the Hall stand.
Archers (2), Pursuivants (2), Heralds (2), and the Lord Lyon King of Arms, followed by the Duke of Hamilton bearing the Crown of Scotland, process in front of The Queen escorted by the Presiding Officer, The Duke of Edinburgh escorted by the Deputy Presiding Officers Trish Godman MSP and Murray Tosh MSP and the Captain General.
The Duke of Hamilton places the Crown on the table once The Queen and the Presiding Officer have arrived at their seats.
The Presiding Officer welcomes The Queen and guests to Parliament Hall and invites the following to speak:
The Rt Hon The Lord Cullen of Whitekirk , Lord President of the Court of Session
The Rt Hon Jack McConnell MSP , First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish Labour Party
Nicola Sturgeon MSP , Leader of the Scottish National Party in the Scottish Parliament
David McLetchie MSP , Leader of the Scottish Conservatives
Robin Harper MSP , Parliamentary Leader of the Green Party
The Rt Hon Jim Wallace QC MSP , Deputy First Minister and Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats
The Presiding Officer thanks all speakers and asks all guests to join him in the Riding down The Royal Mile.
Fanfare “Royale” by Major W Jackson to mark The Queen's departure is played in Parliament Hall by the State Trumpeters.
All present in the Hall stand.
Archers (2), Pursuivants (2), Heralds (2), and the Lord Lyon King of Arms, followed by the Duke of Hamilton bearing the Crown of Scotland, process in front of The Queen, the Presiding Officer, the Deputy Presiding Officers, The Duke of Edinburgh and the Captain General depart the Hall.
The First Minister departs Parliament Hall.
The Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Hinds, the Clerk of the Lieutenancy and the Royal Household depart Parliament Hall.
Archers (2), Pursuivants (2), Heralds (2) and the Lord Lyon King of Arms, followed by the Duke of Hamilton bearing the Crown of Scotland, depart Parliament Hall.
The Presiding Officer and the First Minister escort The Queen and the Deputy Presiding Officers present Members of the Scottish Youth Theatre.
The “Riding”
11.01am Royal Air Force Flypast.
The Royal Company of Archers, preceded by the Highland Band, depart Parliament Square West , march down the Royal Mile, and exit at Hunter's Square.
The Highland Band carry on until the Bridges where they play until the Riding reaches them and then head up the Riding until arrival at Holyrood.
The Flagsetters and the Selkirk Band march down the Royal Mile.
The Flagsetters cast their flags in unison to music played by the Selkirk Band.
On completion of the flagcasting, the first section of the Riding – already in position on the Royal Mile outside Parliament Square West – proceeds down the Royal Mile and are headed up by the Flagsetters and Selkirk Band.
The Riding departs George IV Bridge and Parliament Square West simultaneously and proceeds down the Royal Mile.
The Riding, in order, consists of:
Highland Band of The Scottish Division (heading the Riding at the Bridges)
Scottish Parliament Banner
Central Scotland Banner and Guests
Lord Provosts/Deputy Lord Provosts/Provosts/Conveners of all 32 local authorities
Glasgow Banner and Guests
Te Pooka (Edinburgh-based entertainers) stilt walkers/performers in themed dress
National Youth Choir of Scotland
Newtongrange Silver Band
Highlands and Islands Banner and Guests
Religious leaders and Committee guests
Lothians Banner and Guests
Te Pooka performers
Scottish Youth Theatre performers
Lathallan School Pipe Band
Mid Scotland and Fife Banner and Guests
Representatives of the Armed Forces, Sport, the Arts and other invited guests
North East Scotland Banner and Guests
Te Pooka performers
Burns Federation performers
Borderline Theatre Company / RSAMD - “ Scotland in the World”
South Scotland Banner and Guests
Consular Corps
West Scotland Banner and Guests
Te Pooka performers
ScottishPower Pipe Band
A minibus and golf buggy service is available for people in the Riding who may need assistance.
The Lowland Band of The Scottish Division moves into position in Parliament Square West .
The car carrying the Duke of Hamilton and the Crown of Scotland, escorted by 6 Archers, followed by the car carrying Pursuivants (2), Heralds (2) and the Lord Lyon King of Arms, departs Parliament Square West and joins the end of the Lowland Band of The Scottish Division.
11.30am The Presiding Officer, the Deputy Presiding Officers and the First Minister fall-in between the Lowland Band and the end of the Riding.
The Lowland Band followed by the Crown of Scotland proceeds down the Royal Mile.
When the Riding arrives at Holyrood ; the Highland Band continues round the Formal Entrance and stops in front of the Public Entrance.
The Flagsetters and the Selkirk Band move into position at the roundabout outside the Formal Entrance.
The Riding stops while the Flagsetters cast their flags in unison to music from the Selkirk Band.
As the Riding arrives at Holyrood all Members of the Scottish Parliament enter Holyrood via the Formal Entrance.
The Riding guests continue past the Formal Entrance and enter via the Main Hall and the bands/performers peel off and make their way to Holyrood Park .
The Highland Band starts playing for Riding guests as they wait to enter the Main Hall.
Al l Members of the Scottish Parliament make their way to the Chamber and take their seats to await the arrival of The Queen
Holyrood
From 11.50am
The Presiding Officer, Deputy Presiding Officers and the First Minister arrive at Holyrood.
Pursuivant and Herald proceed in front of the Duke of Hamilton bearing the Crown of Scotland, escorted by Archers (6) into Holyrood via the Formal Entrance.
Pursuivants (2), Heralds (2) and the Lord Lyon King of Arms proceed into Holyrood behind the Crown of Scotland.
Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness to be met by the Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officers at Holyrood's Formal Entrance.
Once inside Holyrood, the Presiding Officer and the Deputy Presiding Officers present :
The Rt Hon Jack McConnell MSP , The First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish Labour Party;
The Rt Hon Jim Wallace MSP , The Deputy First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats;
Nicola Sturgeon MSP , Leader of the Scottish National Party in the Scottish Parliament;
David McLetchie MSP , Leader of the Scottish Conservatives;
Robin Harper MSP , Parliamentary Leader of the Scottish Green Party.
The Party and Parliamentary Party Leaders take their seats in the Chamber.
Tour
12.00pm The Presiding Officer escorts The Queen and the Deputy Presiding Officers escorts The Duke of Edinburgh through the Garden Lobby to Members' Offices and present:
Shiona Baird MSP , Green Member for North East Scotland, whose office is nearby.
Then to the Dewar Room to present: Iain Dewar , son of the late Donald Dewar, and Marion Dewar , daughter of the late Donald Dewar.
Then to the Garden Lobby, to meet five members of the Parliament's frontline staff who have played a key role in the move and settling in at Holyrood.
The Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer present:
Jackie Giulianotti , Head of Allowances Office;
Rosemary Everett , Head of Visitor and Outreach Services;
David McGill , Head of the Business Team;
Ben McLeavey , Business and Information Technology;
Bob Shaw , Helpdesk Co-ordinator, Facilities Management
Chamber
From 12.20pm
Fanfare Introduction, “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Aaron Copeland is performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in the Chamber.
All present in the Chamber stand.
The Scottish Parliament's Mace bearer bearing the Mace enters the Chamber.
Archers (6), Pursuivants (3) and Heralds (3) enter the Chamber.
The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the Duke of Hamilton bearing the Crown of Scotland, The Queen, the Presiding Officer, the Deputy Presiding Officers, The Duke of Edinburgh, and the Captain General enter the Chamber.
The Scottish Parliament's Mace bearer places the Mace in its cradle and remains standing until the Fanfare is finished.
Archers (6), Pursuivants (3) and Heralds (3) split and make their way to either side of The Queen and the Presiding Officer's seats.
The Presiding Officer formally welcomes The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh to the new Scottish Parliament in English and Gaelic.
Seinneadairean-Shalm Leòdhais (Lewis psalm-singers) sing Psalm 121: 1-5 (2 minutes) .
George Reid MSP , the Presiding Officer speaks.
Eddi Reader , Phil Cunningham (whistle), Colin Reid (guitar), John McCusker (whistle) and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra perform “Wild Mountainside” by John Douglas (3 minutes 40 seconds) .
Her Majesty The Queen responds to the Presiding Officer's remarks and officially opens the new the Scottish Parliament building
Nicola Benedetti and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra perform an arrangement from “Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso” by Saint-Saens (6 minutes 30 seconds) .
Liz Lochhead reads Scotland 's Poet Laureate Edwin Morgan's poem (4 minutes) .
The Rt Hon Jack McConnell MSP , the First Minister of Scotland speaks.
Eddi Reader, Seinneadairean-Shalm Leòdhais, National Youth Choir of Scotland and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra perform “Auld Lang Syne” (4 minutes 30 seconds) .
Fanfare to mark The Queen's departure, “Listen Up” by Gareth Wood, is performed in the Chamber by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
All present in the Chamber stand.
The Lord Lyon King of Arms, followed by the Duke of Hamilton bearing the Crown of Scotland, processes in front of The Queen, the Presiding Officer, the Deputy Presiding Officers, The Duke of Edinburgh, and the Captain General leave the Chamber.
The Scottish Parliament's Mace bearer bearing the Mace, with Archers (6), Pursuivants (3) and Heralds (3), exits the Chamber.
Guests depart the Chamber for the Garden Lobby and the Main Hall.
Meeting with contractors and construction representatives
The Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officers escort The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh and present representatives from the consultants and construction companies involved in building Holyrood.
Presiding Officer's reception
1.15pm The Presiding Officer escorts The Queen round the reception in the Garden Lobby.
The Deputy Presiding Officers escort The Duke of Edinburgh round the reception in the Main Hall, then the Presiding Officer escorts The Queen round the reception in the Main Hall and to meet the young winners of a postcard design competition.
The winners meeting The Queen are as follows:
Abigail Stirling , aged 8 from Falkirk , Central Scotland
Emma McBride , aged 11 from Broomhill Primary, Glasgow
Padruig Morrison , aged 8 from North Uist, Highlands and Islands
Fiona Hollow , aged 8 from Bruntsfield Primary in Edinburgh, Lothians
Marnie Elise Taylor , aged 10 from Foulford Primary School in Cowdenbeath, Mid Scotland & Fife
Joanna Masters, aged 15 from Mainholm Academy in Ayr , South Scotland
Emma Collins, aged 11 from St Joseph 's Primary School in Faifley, Clydebank , West Scotland
The Deputy Presiding Officers escort The Duke of Edinburgh round the reception in the Garden Lobby.
The Presiding Officer escorts The Queen and the Deputy Presiding Officers escort The Duke of Edinburgh to the “Honours of Scotland” sculpture in the Main Hall, where the Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officers present:
Michael Laing , President, Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh
Graham Stewart , Silversmith of the “Honours of Scotland” sculpture
Elizabeth Stewart , wife of Graham Stewart
The Presiding Officer asks The Queen to unveil a plaque for the specially commissioned “Honours of Scotland” sculpture.
The Queen presents the “Honours of Scotland” sculpture by the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh to the Scottish Parliament.
The Presiding Officer and the First Minister escort The Queen and the Deputy Presiding Officers escort The Duke of Edinburgh out of the Main Hall into the landscape area where leave is to be taken.
The Lord-Lieutenant then escorts The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh away.
2.05pm Guests depart or attend the “Open House” event in which they may participate in a range of information sessions about the Parliament in various committee rooms, view the artwork or watch the entertainment taking place in the grounds. Media already in the building may attend the Open House event.
Activities run three times to give guests an opportunity to attend more than once.
The timings of the sessions are as follows:
Session 1 (From 2.30pm to 3pm )
Session 2 (From 3.10pm to 3.40pm )
Session 3 (From 3.50pm to 4.30pm )
The following activities will be held during these sessions at the above times:
Committee Room 1 (Ground Floor): Making Your Voice Heard – How can I get involved with the Scottish Parliament?
Committee Room 2 (4 th Floor): Building for the Future – The Architecture of the Scottish Parliament
Committee Room 4 (1 st Floor): Behind the Banners Project – A look at the issues and the people that have driven the Banners project
Committee Room 5 (1 st Floor): Out and About – Working with communities in Scotland
Chamber: What goes on in the Chamber? An introduction to the Chamber by the Clerks. (This activity is available during Sessions 2 and 3.)
Dewar Room (Queensberry House): An opportunity to view The Dewar Collection
Main Hall: Guests can explore an exhibition full of facts about the Parliament and see how it works and learn about its powers.
There is entertainment, including Scottish dance, music and drama, in the Parliament's landscaped gardens until 5pm for the thousands of members of the public expected to visit the Royal Mile on the day.
For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 34 85000
For general enquiries, contact: 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome on 018001
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk