The 65 minute video – which is on sale priced £12.99 – features the best TV footage from the historical July 1 ceremony along with exclusive, yet-to-be-broadcast footage from the Parliament’s own broadcasting unit.

The Parliament’s Presiding Officer Sir David Steel said the video was something that would appeal to all Scots, both at home and abroad. Speaking at the video’s premiere in Edinburgh, he said:

"Few of us who were lucky enough to be involved in the Opening Ceremony on July 1 will forget what was a historic, symbolic and colourful day it was.

"Thousands of people lined the streets in Edinburgh and millions more watched on TV and via the Internet – it was a day that they too are unlikely to forget.

"This video will allow us all the opportunity to re-live that memorable day and give those who were not able to view the spectacle the chance to watch the many highlights in the comfort of their own homes. It also provides an intriguing insight into the behind-the-scenes work that went into Devolution and the opening days and weeks of our new Parliament."

The video will initially be available from the Parliament’s shop on George IV Bridge in Edinburgh before going on widespread release from September 27. It has been produced in-house by the Parliament’s own broadcasting unit, and shows the background to the coming about of the Parliament together with full coverage of the events of July 1.

The video features musical input from some of the biggest names of Scottish contemporary music, including Texas, Runrig, The Silencers and Eddi Reader. Traditional music lovers will get a lot from the video too, with music from the opening day including the Inverness Gaelic Choir, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and Sheena Wellington’s unforgettable performance of the Burns classic ‘A man’s a man for a’ that’ in the Parliament’s temporary home, the Church of Scotland Assembly Hall on The Mound.

The video features the best footage shot by Scotland’s broadcasters - BBC Scotland, Scottish, Grampian and Border Television - as well as footage shot by the Parliament’s own broadcasting unit for the live broadcast of the opening relayed by the Microsoft Network on the World Wide Web.

As well as the ceremony in the main Chamber, the video features the Royal procession from Holyrood, the civic procession, the children’s parade, the spectacular Red Arrows and Concorde flypast and the post-opening celebrations in the evening. There is also an exclusive look at the ‘first days’ of the Parliament from back in early May, with MSPs arriving at their offices for the first time and the very first sitting on May 12.

The Parliament has set up distribution deals which allow the video to be sent directly around the world, allowing Scots, exiles and any other interested parties at home and abroad to be sent a copy. It will be possible to order direct from the parliament’s website – www.scottish.parliament.uk

BACKGROUND NOTES

The official Scottish Parliament Opening Video was produced in-house by the broadcasting unit of the Scottish Parliament. It was produced and directed by Alan Smart, head of broadcasting at the Parliament and will retail at £12.99 from all good video stockists.

Pictures to accompany this news release are available via ISDN by calling David Grimmer on 0131 348 5736 / 07747 806146

Distribution of the video is being handled by SBL. Retailers wishing to stock the video should contact Charlie Cybulski on 0141 427 7222. International distribution deals are currently under discussion. The Parliament’s website (www.scottish.parliament.uk) will be advertising the video with details of how international customers can order direct from the parliament’s shop.

The Broadcasting Unit is currently in the process of setting up reader offers allowing various newspapers and magazines to join in partnership with the Parliament in selling the video direct to their readers. Any interested media should contact the broadcasting unit direct on 0131 348 5150.

Publications or other media wishing copies of the video for use as competition prizes should also contact the Broadcasting Unit direct on the above number. Additional information is also available there.

MSP’s may be available for photocalls with local media. For contact details call Andrew Slorance on 0131 34 85389.