Scottish Parliament Building, Edinburgh

The Scottish Parliament Building, located at Holyrood in Edinburgh, is a notable feature within the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the city's center. This building has been a subject of debate since its inception, facing criticism over its location, architectural design, and construction decisions from politicians, the media, and Scottish citizens. Construction began in June 1999, with an initial plan to open in 2001, but it officially opened much later, on October 9, 2004, with a ceremony led by Queen Elizabeth II.

The Parliament complex, spanning 1.6 hectares at the base of Arthur’s Seat on Holyrood Road, was designed by the late Spanish architect Enric Miralles. He aimed to blend the Scottish environment, culture, and the essence of Edinburgh in the design, using features like leaf-shaped skylights in the Garden Lobby and large windows offering views of Holyrood Park. The building predominantly uses Scottish materials like local stone and oak for walls and floors, along with sycamore furnishings.

Public opinion about the Parliament Building is divided; it's a structure you either admire or dislike. A visit, preferably through a guided tour which allows access to otherwise restricted areas, is recommended to form your own opinion. The surrounding gardens, which are open to the public, feature an array of wildflowers, shrubs, trees, a water pool, lawns, and pathways.

Despite mixed reactions from the public and initial criticisms, the Parliament Building has been acknowledged positively in architectural circles, winning several accolades including the 2005 Stirling Prize. Landscape architect Charles Jencks lauded it as an outstanding example of quality and craftsmanship in British architecture over the past century.