"The building is accessible and inclusive and this was evident with two people on the tour having walking issues."
"Please also note that the disabled access is excellent."
"The Scottish parliament is thinking about all women too - free sanitary pads in the ladies toilet!"
"Everyone was chatty and helpful."
"Staff is very friendly everywhere."
"All staff and the tour guide were super friendly and very informative."
"The staff were all great, efficient and friendly."
Cons:
"The security guards can be more than a little annoying when you're trying to get a decent photo of the building in the evening."
"Be warned there is full security checks when you enter so be ready for that."
"Mainly no photography as well."
"Booked a tour in the summer of 2022 and half the building was closed."
"Note: guided tours don't happen on all days."
"It could be better sign posted."
"Getting through security is a bit of a nightmare but understandable."
Architectural Design
Pros:
"It feels uplifting to walk through the carefully designed halls and passages, which aim to reflect a value of transparency and openness."
"The building is so inspiring, the glazing represents the wish for transparency, the motifs remind users of the history and who they represent."
"The architecture is very interesting and successfully reflects Scotland’s craggy landscape through its jagged edges and use of natural materials."
"The Parliament Building won numerous awards including the 2005 Stirling Prize."
"The debate chamber is a beautiful collaboration space which has no beams to hold up the roof so there is no obstructions for members in discussion."
"The entire building is clean, sleek, and elegant."
"A rustic camera asymmetric arrangement of stones on the outside of the building makes it feel more organic and vital."
Cons:
"Overall it is a complete and utter shambles."
"Horrible concrete monstrosity that would not look out of place in any shabby council estate in London."
"Appalling ugly lump of concrete despoiling one of the most beautiful cities in the world."
"An extraordinarily ugly building which is stained and ramshackle."
"Eyesore. Hideous nonsense. Unworthy of being called architecture."
"A concrete and wicker basket monstrosity in the style of a 1960's new town centre."
"The building is an eyesore that would be better suited for Barcelona, definitely not our beautiful capital city, Edinburgh."
Cost and Budget
Pros:
"Nice and easy to get to and free entrance!"
"It's free to enter."
"Free entry up to see the parliament in session (wow!), solid little gift shop and even free pads in the ladies loo."
"Fairly cheap eating area inside the building."
"Free as well."
Cons:
"This project came in three years late and 10 times over budget, costs to the taxpayer didn’t stop there, as the building’s intricate design and hundreds of windows cost nearly £3 million to clean each year."
"It's a monument to wasted money - £300+ million over budget, and wasted time - years late."
"The whole thing was an overpriced joke from the start and still costs us fortunes to keep it running."
"An extraordinary waste of public money £414 million pounds."
"Finding out that it cost £414 million to construct (about £370 million over budget!), I can see how the whole thing is a bit of a let down to the locals."
"So this is the parliament of my country. Ten years in the making and ten times the original budget. Thanks MSPs for wasting taxpayer's hard earned money."
"Add a shanty town of professional protesters on the lawn out the front and you have a landmark that should be pulled down asap to save everyone from injury when it eventually starts falling apart."
Experience and Tours
Pros:
"We had a fantastic tour of the building."
"Brendan McCluskey was an outstanding guide with a fast flow of knowledge and the ability to answer any questions."
"The guides are friendly and passionate. I highly recommend a tour, or even just a cup o tea in the café."
"Allowed to take photos of the Debating Chamber."
"An amazing experience. I was able to witness a live debate on Gender law."
"Book a free tour well in advance on the website. It a wonderful building and experience."
"You can reserve a free tour on non-session days."
Cons:
"The security guards can be more than a little annoying when you're trying to get a decent photo of the building in the evening."
"Very disappointing tour and building. Kids did not enjoy at all - not recommended for families."
"Booked a tour in the summer of 2022 and half the building was closed."
"Note: guided tours don't happen on all days."
"Mainly no photography as well."
"Getting through security is a bit of a nightmare but understandable."
"Sadly the #parliament building is forgettable and only a sad reminder of how bad modern architecture is ruining our communities worldwide."