About self-guided visits
You are welcome to visit the building any time it’s open, from Monday to Saturday. There’s no need to book in advance.
The building will be closed to the public from 21 December to 5 January.
On a self-guided visit, you can:
- explore any public areas including the Main Hall
- view pieces from the art collection
- see our permanent exhibition A Parliament for the People
- join one of our 10 minute talks
- grab something to eat or drink in the Café
- browse the Shop
A self-guided visit is suitable for all ages and free to attend. You can pick up a visitor map from the Main Hall when you arrive, or download a map ahead of your visit.
A BSL map is also available.
For families, we also have our Family Trail activity book, which contains a map of the grounds outside the building, along with learning activities. It's designed to be printed out and written on, or pick up a copy from the Main Hall when you arrive.
More information
Plan your visit
For opening times, parking information and more, go to our plan your visit page.
Don't forget to stop at our shop and café during your visit!
Accessibility
Visitor behaviour policy
Please remember that this is a working parliamentary building and, as such, you are expected to behave as set out in this policy. We reserve the right to remove visitors who breach this policy and apply a period of exclusion from our public galleries and parliamentary business.
For all visits, please:
- follow all instructions from parliament staff, including any requests to bring ID with you
- do not leave your bags and personal belongings unattended
- do not smoke in the building
- do not eat or drink, except in the restaurants
- if given one, wear your visitor lanyard and pass at all times. Return it when asked or when leaving
- collect any items retained by security as you leave
- note that protests are not allowed inside the building. Banners, flags and political slogans are forbidden
The Parliament’s Standing Orders cover public access to parliamentary business. They allow the Presiding Officer to set reasonable conditions, and exclusions if these are not met.
For visits to see parliamentary business, please:
- enter, sit in and leave the galleries quietly and as requested by parliamentary staff
- switch all electronic devices off, and secure them as instructed by parliamentary staff
- do not cause a distraction or disruption to parliamentary business. If there is a disruption in the Chamber, the Presiding Officer can ask visitors to leave
- note that people who wilfully disrupt may face a period of exclusion from future visits
- do not applaud or shout out during meetings
- do not take photos, videos or recordings during meetings
- obtain prior permission to paint, sketch or draw
- follow the instructions of parliamentary staff on when and where to sit and to leave. For First Minister’s Questions, this includes remaining seated for the entire session. If you need to leave before the session ends, please speak to the nearest member of Parliament staff
Location
Edinburgh, EH99 1SP
Days and times
Monday, Friday and Saturday (including public holidays) –
10am to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm)
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday –
9am to 6.30pm (last entry 6pm)
Duration
We suggest 1 to 2 hours.
Price
Free