Scottish Parliament an ugly duckling?

A recent survey by the Virtual Tourist website has ranked the new Scottish Parliament as the eighth ugliest building in the world. For the record, Boston City Hall claimed top spot in the poll.

Holyrood has been the subject of much criticism. Things did not get off to the most auspicious of starts with the project been completed late and at multiple times over the original budget. The final bill was over four hundred million pounds.

In 1999, a Scottish Parliament reconvened for the first time since the Act of Union in 1707. The Parliament moved to its present purpose built premises at Holyrood at the foot of the Royal Mile in 2004.

Queen Elizabeth II opened the Holyrood building in October 2004.

The new Scottish Parliament has some noteworthy features, notably the Thinks Pods that the project's Spanish architect, Enric Miralles, designed as a place where Scottish Members of Parliament could gather their thoughts.

To date the new Scottish Parliament building has won nine major architectural awards.

Visitors to Edinburgh can hear about the history of the new (and old) Scottish Parliament with the Walk Talk Tour, Royal Mile & More, Edinburgh travel guide. Hear about a grisly episode that took place in the oldest part of the Holyrood complex, Queensberry House. To hear an audio sample from the Royal Mile & More mp3 guided tour please click here.

There are two Walk Talk Tour Edinburgh audio guides. Listeners can stop, start and listen again to any part of their professionally produced tour as they see fit - or as their partner, interest or the weather dictates. Each Walk Talk Tour Edinburgh city walking tour comes complete with a free downloadable map - for listeners to print off - so you won't miss a thing!