Parliament House Tours and Activities

Parliament House is a hidden gem a little off the beaten track which is missed by many Edinburgh tourists. Close to the Royal Mile, take a turn onto Parliament Square beside St Giles' Cathedral to get here. The building was home to the Scottish legislature from 1639-1707, when the Act of Union joined the parliaments of Scotland and England to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain. This saw an exodus of politicians (and much power) south to London.In its modern incarnation, the building has become home to Scotland's Supreme Court. A walk around Parliament Hall, once the site of much debate and discussion of state affairs, is now replete with solicitors and barristers hurrying to and fro in their old-fashioned legal wigs and long gowns.The resplendent colours of the stained-glass Great South Window demand closer attention. The window depicts King James V's ceremonial inauguration of the College of Justice and Court of Session.Cast your gaze upwards to the attractive Danish oak in the hammerbeam ceiling – this is one of the few interior features which has survived since Parliament House was built in the 17th century.Set aside some time to look through the statues and paintings of solicitors from the 18th and 19th centuries displayed in the hall. Duncan Forbes, a former politician and judge, still looks down on proceedings with a critical eye to this day.You can listen to cases in the courts here if you wish, but these courts deal mostly with civil matters, with criminal cases being heard in the High Court.Parliament House is found in Edinburgh's Old Town, on Parliament Square. There is very little parking in this ancient part of the city, but a number of buses pass by. Due to the fact that this is a working court, there is an obligatory bag search on entry to the building. Parliament House is open all year round.