Home of the Scottish Parliament back in the 17th century, Edinburgh's Parliament House is a hidden gem close to the streets and narrow by-ways of The Royal Mile. Located right by St. Giles' Cathedral, it is the ideal place to visit to find out more about Scotland’s incredible heritage.
Parliament once sat here between 1639 until it was dissolved in 1707 after England and Scotland were formally united and the politicians left Edinburgh for London. Today, the building is still used as a civic space that now serves as the home of the Supreme Courts of Scotland.
Enjoy a stroll around Parliament Hall where you'll see lawyers when they are not hard at work in court. You can’t miss them as they pace the corridors dressed in their wigs and gowns. The grandiose hall itself was the chamber where politicians would discuss and debate state business when the building was the home of Parliament.
In the hall, if you gaze upwards, you’ll see the stunning hammer-beam ceiling made using Danish oak. This piece of the original internal structure is one of the few remaining signs of the building's 17th century heritage. Elsewhere in the hall, admire the Great South Window, a magnificent stained-glass depiction of the College of Justice and the Court Session of King James V from the year 1532.
The hall is adorned with an array of towering statues. Among them, you’ll find the figure of politician and judge Duncan Forbes and a series of portraits depicting senior lawyers from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Situated on Parliament Square in Edinburgh's Old Town, you can reach the area by bus, though parking is limited if you're travelling by car. As Parliament House remains a functional court building, bear in mind that your bags will be searched when you arrive. The courtrooms are open to the public, but it is mainly civil cases that are heard here criminal trials take place elsewhere in the High Court. The building is open to the public all year round.
