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Parliament dissolved ahead of election

The Scottish Parliament is now dissolved ahead of the election on Thursday 7 May 2026.

During dissolution, there are no MSPs and no parliamentary business can take place.

For more information, please visit Election 2026

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About the Scottish Parliament

History of the Scottish Parliament


Contents


The Scottish Parliament re-established

The first elections for the Scottish Parliament were held on 6 May 1999. The first meeting of the Scottish Parliament took place on 12 May 1999.

On 1 July 1999, the Scottish Parliament was officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen and received its full law-making powers. The Scottish Parliament normally met in the General Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland, Edinburgh, until a new parliament building could be created.

Read Donald Dewar’s speech from the opening day (85KB, pdf) posted 14 September 2020

Watch the Scottish Parliament Opening Ceremony