25th anniversary
The Scottish Parliament was reconvened in May 1999. The Scottish Parliament building was officially opened in 2004.
During 2024, we reflected on these two anniversaries.
Regional visits
What does the Scottish Parliament mean to you? This is the question we asked people to better understand how we can engage with communities across Scotland.
Starting in 2024, we visited all 8 parliamentary regions and hosted events with local organisations. During these sessions, we reflected on what the Parliament has achieved over the last 25 years, and what we can do to improve for the future.
Read highlights from our final report on the Regional Programme (2MB, pdf) posted 13 June 2025
Read the final report from our Regional Programme (2MB, pdf) posted 12 June 2025
Tap on the arrow for more details from each region.
South Scotland
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The following reports have been produced from this visit:
Burnfoot Community Futures (3MB, pdf) posted 31 October 2024
Borders Community Action (2MB, pdf) posted 31 October 2024
The Presiding Officer visits Galashiels
As part of our activities to mark the Parliament鈥檚 25th anniversary, we visited the South of Scotland region to meet with local people to chat about what the Parliament means to them.
Highlands and Islands
The following reports have been produced from this visit:
Shetland Community Bike Project (5MB, pdf) posted 19 December 2024
Voluntary Action Shetland (5MB, pdf) posted 19 December 2024
The Presiding Officer visits Lerwick
The second of these regional visits took place in August 2024, in Shetland.
Glasgow
The following reports have been produced from this visit:
Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (5MB, pdf) posted 04 February 2025
Willowacre Trust (5MB, pdf) posted 04 February 2025
The Presiding Officer visits Glasgow
The third of these regional visits took place in September 2024, in the Glasgow region.
North East
The following reports have been produced from this visit:
Grampian Regional Equality Council (2MB, pdf) posted 04 February 2025
Stella's Voice (2MB, pdf) posted 04 February 2025
The Presiding Officer visits Aberdeen
In November 2024, the PO made her fourth regional visit, this time to Aberdeen.
Mid Scotland and Fife
The following report has been produced from this visit:
Sauchie and Alloa: A community conversation (3MB, pdf) posted 10 June 2025
The Presiding Officer visits Mid Scotland and Fife
Sauchie Resource Centre, Wimpy Park and Bowmar Community Centre
West Scotland
The following reports have been produced from this visit:
Dunterlie Resource Centre (3MB, pdf) posted 10 June 2025
Clydebank with the West Dunbartonshire Youth Council (3MB, pdf) posted 10 June 2025
The Presiding Officer visits Dunterlie Resource Centre
The first of two visits in the West Scotland region.
The Presiding Officer visits Clydebank
The Presiding Officer meets young people from the West Dunbartonshire Youth Council in Clydebank
Central Scotland
The following report has been produced from this visit:
Cumbernauld and Carbain (3MB, pdf) posted 10 June 2025
The Presiding Officer visits Central Scotland
In Central Scotland, the Presiding Officer visits Cumbernauld and Carbrain
Lothian
The following report has been produced from this visit:
Mayfield and Easthouses (3MB, pdf) posted 10 June 2025
The Presiding Officer's visit to Lothian
The Presiding Officer concludes her regional visits in Mayfield and Easthouses
Highlights from 1999
Watch highlights from our first Opening Ceremony, which took place on 1 July 1999.
Helping Mesh Survivors
What difference does the Scottish Parliament make? We're looking back at some of the ways we've made a positive difference to the lives of people across Scotland. In this video, find out how our petitions system helped women affected by medical mesh.
Protecting Languages
What difference does the Scottish Parliament make? We're looking back at some of the ways we've made a positive difference to the lives of people across Scotland. In this video, find out how passing legislation helped to protect and promote Gaelic and British Sign Language.
Meet the silversmith who made our mace
Michael Lloyd designed and created the Scottish Parliament's mace 25 years ago, in time for our first Opening Ceremony. We caught up with him to chat about his inspiration, and to reflect on the work.
25th anniversary event
Watch the recording of the event that took place on 28 September, to mark our 25th anniversary.
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Panel discussion: 20 years of Holyrood
Hear more about the inspiration, the drama and the behind-the-scenes stories of a Parliament, the main masterpiece of Enric Miralles and his Barcelona studio, that is intended to be viewed as ‘growing out of the land’. From the Festival of Politics.
Panel discussion: The Scottish Parliament at 25
The Scottish Parliament has passed world-leading legislation and imbued a self-confidence in its electorate since 1999. So, what are its strengths and achievements and where can it do better? Watch this panel discussion, which took place as part of the Festival of Politics.
Panel discussion: where are the young women?
Women represent 52% of the Scottish population but only 46% of 成人快手. Join the panel from the Festival of Politics to discuss what needs to be done in the next 25 years to break down barriers to political participation and increase representation.
In Conversation with Benedetta Tagliabue
Join the Presiding Officer in conversation with Benedetta Tagliabue, architect, partner and widow of the visionary creative Enric Miralles, who along with their own EMBT and fellow Scottish architectural company, RMJM, designed the Scottish Parliament building.
