The Scottish Parliament
'There shall be a Scottish parliament. I like that.'
(The late Donald Dewar, Scotland's First Minister, 1997)
With these words, the 'settled will of the Scottish people' was expressed for a devolved parliament for Scotland. We present here a list of books on the politics, the people, and that building.
The Scottish Parliament (the institution, not the present building) officially opened for business on 1 July 1999, meeting for the first time in 300 years. Donald Dewar, the Glasgow Labour MSP for Anniesland, had been elected First Minister in the first elections held on 6 May of that year and David Steel of the Lib-Dems was voted Presiding Officer. The first sessions were held in the Church of Scotland's Assembly Halls on the Mound in Edinburgh that same month and one of the items for debate was the question of whether a new parliament building was required. It was. The final site of Holyrood at the foot of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh was chosen with two architect firms, EMBT of Barcelona and RMJM of Edinburgh, being awarded the design contract. The building was opened on 9 October 2004 after a stormy period of budgetary revisions, hold-ups, public reviews, and intense debate in the media.
The Scottish Parliament consists of 129 elected representatives, known as Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), and has the power to pass legislation and alter the rate of tax. Devolved powers include education, health and prisons whilst other areas of decision-making, called Reserved Powers, are dealt with at Westminster. (Don't get us started on the West Lothian Question...)
General Interest
- A Guide To The Scottish Parliament: The Shape Of Things To Come
This is an overview of the context, organisations and likely operations of the Scottish Parliament. It covers areas such as what the Parliament is empowered to do, and how it fits into Scottish society, UK government and European policy - Holyrood And Canongate: A Thousand Years Of History
Holyrood and Canongate lie at the heart of Edinburgh's old town, their stones drenched in the history of the Scottish nation. This book traces the complete history of the Abbey of Holyrood and its burgh of Canongate from prehistoric times to the present day. - Holyrood: The Inside Story
Powerful, thought-provoking and thoroughly researched, this book explores in great depth the story of Holyrood itself: the first years of devolution and the nature of modern Scotland - stories for which the Holyrood building has become a potent and revealing metaphor. - Hooray For Holyrood: Political Cartoons
This is a selection of Boyle's cartoons which appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News from March 1999 to 2002. This neatly covers the historic first term of the new Scottish Parliament. - Lucky Jack: Scotland's First Minister
Lorraine Davidson here provides the definitive biography of Scotland's First Minister, Jack McConnell. She charts his career and move into politics and doesn't shirk from investigating the infighting and power struggles. McConnell's personal life also comes under scrutiny. - The Road To Home Rule: Images Of Scotland's Cause
This work documents the demonstrations and protests, the journalism and poetry, the party politics and international upheavals which swept the Scottish cause along - and all too often adrift - during the 20th century. - The Road To The Scottish Parliament
First published in 1999, this revised and updated guide to the establishment of Scotland's Parliament follows the road to devolution - with fresh detail of the obstacles which stood in the way. The author offers an analysis of the background to this monumental political change. - Scotland First: Truth And Consequences
'Scotland First' is a unique book about Scottish and UK politics written by a man who was at the heart of Britain's constitutional upheaval and the turbulent early years of the Scottish Parliament. - Scotland's Parliament: Triumph And Disaster
For this companion volume to 'The Scottish Parliament', Brian Taylor has spoken - on and off the record - to the key players in Scotland's developing political drama. He tells the inside story of Scotland's Parliament - the horse-trading and the gossip - as well as offering dispassionate analysis. - A Scots Parliament
This is a comprehensive introduction to the Scottish Parliament, both past and present, written in accessible, straightforward modern Scots. - The Scottish Parliament: An Introduction
Now in its third edition, this book is essential reading for everyone who wishes to know, or needs to know, how the Scottish Parliament works and what its functions are. - The Scottish Parliament: A Scandinavian-Style Assembly?
Since devolution in 1999 Scotland can be considered a Scandinavian-style small democracy with several features common to a Scandinavian parliament. In short David Arter asks whether Scotland's parliament is developing a Scandinavian-style parliamentarism. - The New Scottish Politics: Scottish Parliament: Shaping Up
A number of commentators assess the first year of the Scottish Parliament to create a comprehensive overview of its handling of state affairs for the first time since the 1700s. No prior knowledge of Scottish politics is needed to read this study. - Voyage Of Intent: Sonnets And Essays From The Scottish Parliament
Here are 11 sonnets and three essays written by James Robertson. They create snapshots of the Scottish Parliament and the people working and living in and around it, and convey the historical relationship between Scottish literature, identity, politics and the Royal Mile as a literary location. - Year Zero: An Inside View Of The Scottish Parliament
This work offers the reader an unprecedented account of the inner workings of the Scottish Parliament and of the events witnessed first hand over the last year.
Politics and History titles
- Agenda For A New Scotland: Visions Of Scotland 2020
It has now reconvened after nearly 300 years. A Devolved Legislature but a Parliament all the same. Unable to address all issues but able to make a difference in many areas. It is for the Scottish Parliament to shape and mould the future of Scotland. But, - Claiming Scotland: National Identity And Liberal Culture
The new Scottish Parliament is the culmination of a long period of change both in the way political institutions have been organised and in the way politics has been talked about in Scotland. - Creating A Scottish Parliament
This book puts the building of Scotland's new parliament in perspective, making use of unique access to documents and materials. It also includes the drawings of the architect, Enric Miralles and photographs of the Holyrood building as well as prints from Edinburgh's past. - A Diverse Assembly: The Debate On A Scottish Parliament
The 1997 Scottish Referendum confirmed the wish of the Scottish people for their first Parliament in almost 300 years. In this book Paterson draws together a collection of the key arguments for and against the reinstating of a Scottish Parliament. - The Government Of Scotland: Public Policy Making After Devolution
A critical challenge to Scotland's new system of government is the making and implementation of public policy. This book offers a comprehensive account of the policy process in contemporary Scotland. - Has Devolution Delivered?
The editors draw upon a range of Scottish election studies and Scottish social attitudes surveys to explore the early success- or otherwise- of devolution in changing the way people feel about their country and the way they are governed. - The Identity Of The Scottish Nation: An Historic Quest
Ferguson traces the origin of Scottish national identity, and people's perceptions of it, from earliest times to the present day. His subjects include Gaelic kingship, George Buchanan, the Reformation, James Macpherson and George Chalmers. - Scottish Government And Politics
This work provides a descriptive and analytical introduction to Scottish government and politics. It covers the emergence of the Scottish parliament and its impact on politics and political actors such as the media, political parties and pressure groups. - Scottish Independence: A Practical Guide
This study maps out the route to independence for Scotland and spells out the consequences. Its focus is on the process whereby Scotland might achieve independence and the consequences that would follow for Scotland and the rest of the UK. - Women And Contemporary Scottish Politics: An Anthology
Women have an unprecedented voice and place in the politics of the new Scotland. This text seeks to trace the move towards this state over the past decade. It includes key newspaper and journal articles, and accounts of women and Scottish politics.
© Scottish Parliament
Internet Links
- The Official Scottish Parliament Site
- Acts of the Scottish Parliament
- Donald Dewar
- Donald Dewar biography
- Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue (architects of the building)
- RMJM (architects of the building)
Image licensed from scran.ac.uk