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Parliamentary News Release

064/2004

11 October 2004

GUIDED TOURS OF HOLYROOD GET UNDER WAY

Visitors will be able to gain exclusive access to the new Scottish Parliament building from Monday 11 October when the official programme of guided tours gets under way.

The Parliament has already been inundated with bookings for the guided tours, which will give the public access to private areas for the first time – such as the floor of the Debating Chamber.

The launch of the service follows Saturday’s successful official Opening of the building, performed by Her Majesty the Queen.

Thousands of spectators turned out to witness the historic day and enjoy the packed programme of entertainment and events laid on along the Royal Mile and around the Parliament building.

The first round of the professionally-run guided tours programme, setting off from the building’s Main Hall tomorrow morning, is fully booked and demand for the rest of the year is expected to remain high, with Parliament staff already receiving bookings up to Christmas Eve.

The tours last for 45 minutes and provide a detailed commentary on the building itself, from its design to the artwork on the walls, and the history of the Scottish Parliament from devolution to elections. Visitors can also expect to gain a deeper insight into the day-to-day workings of the Parliament.

Starting from the main public area of the Parliament building, visitors are taken to the floor of the Chamber to see where the MSPs meet to debate and decide on the issues that matter to the people of Scotland.

In the Chamber, visitors can view a number of striking elements which include a ceiling reminiscent of the hammer-beam roof of Old Parliament Hall, and also echoing early boat-building principles.

The tours include visits to one of the six Committee Rooms – where MSPs take evidence from witnesses, scrutinise legislation and conduct inquiries – and go further into the building to allow views of the Members’ office block and historic Queensberry House. Visitors can also explore some of the most eye-catching areas of the building, including the Garden Lobby, the glazed walkway and the black and white corridor, where MSPs are often interviewed by the media.

Up to four tours every hour will run at the Parliament, each accommodating a maximum of 25 people. Until the end of the Parliament’s current October recess and during future recess periods, the tours will run seven days a week.

At all other times when the Parliament is sitting, the tours will run on Mondays and Fridays and at weekends.

The tours will cost £3.50 for adults, £1.75 for concessions and there will be no charge for children under the age of five or support workers/carers accompanying a disabled person. There will be a range of family ticket prices and a 10 per cent reduction for large groups of 25 or more.

The charges have been set at a level to cover the cost of operating the professional tours.

The service will be run by a pool of 100 guides from the Scottish Tourist Guides Association and Mercat Tours. Initially, tours will be given in English and the intention is to offer tours in other languages by next year.

In addition to the guided tours, all visitors to the Parliament can freely access the public areas, view an exhibition about the Parliament or make use of the shop, public café, crèche and Visitor Information Desk. On business days, the public can book free tickets to see Parliament in action in Committees or meetings of the full Parliament.

This is a very popular option and booking in advance is recommended. On non-business days, the Chamber Gallery and Committee Rooms are open for visitors to see these remarkable spaces, and staff are available to answer questions.

A massive 32,982 visitors have passed through the Scottish Parliament's doors in the four weeks since the new building opened its doors to the public on 7 September The figure is almost 3,000 more than those who visited the Parliament at its former George IV Bridge location in the year between May 2003 and April 2004. The public crèche has been used by almost 60 visitors to the building so far.

The Parliament shop has made brisk sales since opening in recent weeks, with the best selling items including a range of postcards depicting the building and The Scottish Parliament Whisky, with both the blend and malt proving popular.

Philip Riddle, Chief Executive of VisitScotland said:

“The new Parliament building is an exciting addition to a range of fantastic visitor attractions in Scotland.

“We expect there will be a huge interest in the Holyrood building from home and abroad.”

For further information, contact:

Eric MacLeod: 0131 348 5389
email: eric.macleod@scottish.parliament.uk

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 34 85000

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