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27 August 2007
Visitors explore Holyrood on Open Parliament day
 Visitors look around the Donald Dewar Room. See more images of the day |
The 2007 Festival of Politics came to a close on Sunday with Open Parliament day, which gave visitors the opportunity to look behind the scenes at Holyrood.
People of all ages took part in a range of activities including playing Political Snakes and Ladders, discussing issues in the political café and designing their own MSP.
Areas open to explore included the debating chamber and committee rooms, the Parliament's hidden garden, and the Donald Dewar Room, which houses the collection of books and other memorabilia gifted to the Parliament by the family of Donald Dewar.
There were visitors from both Scotland and countries further afield, including Spain, Poland, Brazil and China.
Harry Johnson, 23, from Edinburgh, said:
"The open day is busy, a bit too busy at times but it’s good to see places I’ve not seen before."
  Frances Jarvie takes a look at a committee room, and Juliana Calderon viewed the World Press Photo Exhibition in the main hall |
Frances Jarvie from Fife said: "I think they should have an open day every month.
"I really wanted to see the stairs where the BBC presenters stand - I was delighted to see that.
"Then I wanted to see the debating chamber, which was very interesting."
Parliament staff were on hand throughout the day to tell visitors more about the work that goes on at Holyrood.
Chris Boath, 71, from Yorkshire, commented:
"It’s a great idea to have an open day. There could have been more guided tours, but the people are very helpful when you talk to them."
Sunday was also a final opportunity to see the World Press Photo exhibition, which displayed phototojournalism from around the globe.
 The Flynn family in the Parliament garden |
The exhibition ran throughout August in the Parliament's main hall. Juliana Calderon, 27, from Brazil said:
"I came to Edinburgh for the Fringe festival and I heard about today.
"I came down as I wanted to see the World Press Photo exhibition as well. The Parliament looks very good, I like it."
The Flynn Family, pictured right, from London, were on holiday in Edinburgh.
Ten-year-old Freddie said he enjoyed the debating chamber, while images of famous footballers in the World Press Photo exhibition caught the imagination of his younger brother Louis.
Their sister Annabel, 13, said: "I think it’s fantastic, it’s a really nice looking building."
This was the third year for the Festival of Politics, which presents a diverse programme of events bringing together politics, media and the cultural industries.