This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Holyrood opening ceremony
09/10/2004
The new Scottish Parliament is coming of age in a
country whose time has come, First Minister Jack McConnell
told guests at the official opening ceremony today.
"This is the permanent home for the nation's final
discussion on matters that affect the way we live, and the
way we shape the lives of future generations.
Read the full text
of the First Minister's speech
"This magnificent building can inspire admiration but it
cannot by its mere existence influence opinions or
judgements on public policy.
"It is we who are elected to serve who form the human
institution that is the Scottish Parliament.
"In Scotland, in this Parliament, we must imagine what
the future will hold. The pace of progress is quickening
and the possibilities for us are limitless.
"This Parliament should dare to open minds to the
opportunities that change brings, and seize those
opportunities for the people of Scotland."
The Parliament at Holyrood was opened by the Queen after
MSPs and their guests had walked down the Royal Mile from
Parliament Hall, the site of the original Scottish
Parliament, in a procession known as a 'riding'.
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the UK's Young
Musician of the Year Nicola Benedetti played. The National
Youth Choir, Eddi Reader, and Seinneadairean-Shalm Leodhais
sang. Liz Lochhead read a poem by the Makar, Edwin Morgan.
In conclusion, everyone sang the traditional Scots anthem,
Auld Lang Syne.
A referendum in Scotland in 1997 returned a majority in
favour of the restoration of the Scottish Parliament which
had been abolished in 1707 when Scotland entered into a
Treaty of Union with England to form the United
Kingdom.
A short
history
The first elections to the Scottish Parliament were held
in May 7, 1999, and a Parliament of 129 MSPs reconvened on
at temporary premises in the General Assembly hall of the
Church of Scotland on The Mound in Edinburgh on July 1 that
year.
Read the full text
of the First Minister's speech