The opening ceremony of The Scottish Parliament on July 1 will include both the traditional and modern, Sir David Steel said today.

The Presiding Officer was unveiling detailed plans for the historic ceremony which will feature two distinct locations – Parliament Hall, where the last Scottish Parliament met, and the Assembly Hall, temporary home to the new Parliament.

Sir David said that the many events planned for July 1, with the official opening by Her Majesty The Queen as the centrepiece, would show Scotland in a positive light both at home and abroad.

The Presiding Officer said:

"Our aim all along has been to strike the right balance between tradition and modernity. I believe we have done that.

"Scotland has a rich history and culture which it is right to reflect on this historic day. But we must also demonstrate that this is a new, forward-looking Parliament which is creating its own distinctive and modern ways of working.

"A lot of hard work has gone into planning an impressive programme of events for July 1. The First Minister and Unique Events have already revealed details of the many surrounding events in the streets and parks of Edinburgh. Today I will concentrate on the official ceremony.

"The official programme actually begins on the evening of Wednesday, June 30 with the ‘Kirking’ of the Parliament at St Giles Cathedral. At 6.30pm, the Very Reverend Gilleasbuig Macmillan will conduct a service attended by Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. This service will be open to the public and anyone wishing to apply for a ticket on a first come basis can do so by calling the Parliament’s Public Information Service on 0131 348 5000.

"The ceremony will be in two parts – first in Parliament Hall behind St Giles, where the pre-1707 Scottish Parliament used to meet, moving on to the temporary home of the new Parliament in the General Assembly Hall.

"As well as the clear historical links, this also provides us with the opportunity of inviting additional guests to the day’s events. Those attending the Assembly Hall will have the opportunity of watching proceedings in Parliament Hall on large screens, and the same will be the case in reverse once the ceremony begins at the Assembly Hall.

"At the General Assembly Hall, following the arrival of the Royal Party from Holyrood Palace, we have included a mixture of speeches, music and readings – again a balance of modern and traditional, demonstrating some of the best of Scotland.

"July 1 is significant because it is the day the Parliament takes up its full powers. The ceremony that has been put together will, I believe, provide a wonderful spectacle for those present and many more watching in the streets of Edinburgh and on television across Scotland and beyond."

In summary, the ceremonial events are as follows (full details for the media can be obtained by calling 0131 348 5389):

The morning begins with the Crown of Scotland being brought down from Edinburgh Castle to the Assembly Hall by the Duke of Hamilton.

In Parliament Hall, after a welcome by the Lord President of the Court of Session, the Prime Minister will speak to the assembled MSPs and representatives of civic Scotland marking the handover of powers from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament. He will be followed by short speeches from Alex Salmond, David McLetchie and Jim Wallace.

A procession of MSPs and civic Scotland will then form up to walk from the old Parliament Hall to the new, accompanied by an escort of young people.

As members take their seats at the Assembly Hall, Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles – known here by his Scottish title, the Duke of Rothesay – will travel in an open carriage from Holyrood Palace to the Assembly Hall. They will enter the chamber preceded by the Crown and accompanied by the Presiding Officer and deputies.

James MacMillan has written a fanfare specially for this occasion, which will be played for the entrance of MSPs and of The Queen. After Sir David’s welcome speech, The Queen will formally open the Parliament and present her gift of a Mace, which has been designed by Michael Lloyd, a distinguished Scottish craftsman.

Tom Flemming will read a poem by the late Iain Crichton Smith and this will be followed by Sheena Wellington singing the Burns song ‘A Man’s A Man for A’ That’.

The First Minister will respond to Her Majesty’s speech and there will then be a contrasting reading, written in response to the arrival of The Scottish Parliament by one of the young winners of the National Year of Reading schools competition.

Finally, the ceremony will end with Members and their guests joining in the singing of the Hundredth psalm, All People That on Earth Do Dwell.

Afterwards, the Royal Party, members and guests will proceed outside to watch the parade of young people and bands which ends the formal events of the morning.

BACKGROUND NOTE

A more detailed programme of the official ceremony events is available to the media by calling 0131 348 5389.

Details of the many events organised by Unique Events to support the opening ceremony were announced by Unique Events and The Scottish Office on June 1. Scottish Office news release 1114/99 refers, and details are also on the Parliament’s website here.

A public information hotline on the opening of the Parliament is available by calling 08700 507 507.