Visits to the Parliament
Schools are welcome to visit us any day throughout the week.
School visits run from Monday to Friday. Visits on Tuesday-Thursday include a chance to watch debates happening in the Chamber (this can be First Minister’s Questions on a Thursday).
We do not offer travel expenses.
We offer different themes for your visit to choose from:
NEW! Parliament architecture design exhibition
Suited to P6-7 and S1-2
Running in September and early October.
To accompany an exhibition on the work of Enric Miralles, one of the main architects of the Scottish Parliament building, these sessions will look at the architecture of the building and the ways in which Miralles designed a building to support democratic ideals and to reflect the heritage and culture of Scotland.
Length of session
- 90 minutes
Maximum numbers
- 40 on Tuesday and Wednesday
- 80 on Monday and Friday
Days available
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Friday
Times available
- Monday 11.00 - 12.30
- Tuesday 10.00 - 11.30 or 11.00 - 12.30
- Wednesday 10.00 - 11.30 or 11.00 - 12.30
- Friday 11.00 - 12.30
Sessions will include
- an interactive presentation session looking at the work of Parliament and the design of the Parliament building
- a tour of the Parliament building to see the architecture in person
- a Q&A with your MSPs to find out about their work depending on MSP availability
- an opportunity for a self-led visit to the exhibition
- resources to use in class relating to the Scottish Parliament’s design and work
Your Parliament
Suited to P5-7, curriculum level CfE Level 2
Length of session
- 90 minutes
Days available
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
Times available
- 10.00 – 11.30
- 11.00 – 12.30
Maximum numbers
- 40
Format
- 30 minute presentation
- 30 minute tour
- 30 minute Q&A with MSPs (subject to availability)
Get involved
Suited to S1-3, introductory level social subjects at college, curriculum level BGE Modern Studies, general citizenship
Length of session
- 90 minutes
Days available
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
Times available with Tour
- 10.00 – 11.30
- 11.00 – 12.30
Times available with Debating Chamber business
- 1.15 – 2.45
Maximum numbers:
- 40
Format
- 30 minute presentation
- 30 minute tour OR watching business in the Debating Chamber
- 30 minute Q&A with MSPs (subject to availability)
Content
- Purpose of the Scottish Parliament
- Devolution and devolved matters
- Elections
- The role of MSPs
- How to get involved
MSPs
- Constituency and Regional MSPs for the school / college / university campus based on the postcode provided
- This is subject to MSP availability and diaries can change at short notice
- An alternative activity can be offered if no MSPs are able to attend
The role of the First Minister
Suited to National 5 Modern Studies, curriculum level National 5
Length of session
- 90 minutes
Days available
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
Maximum numbers
- 40
Times available with Tour
- 10.00 – 11.30
- 11.00 – 12.30
Times available with Debating Chamber business
- 1.15 – 2.45
Format
- 30 minute presentation
- 30 minute tour OR watching business in the Debating Chamber
- 30 minute Q&A with MSPs (subject to availability)
Content
- Devolution and devolved matters
- The role of MSPs
- Role of the First Minister
- FMQs and scrutiny of the work of the Scottish Government
- The role of committees
MSPs
- Constituency and Regional MSPs for the school / college / university campus based on the postcode provided
- This is subject to MSP availability and diaries can change at short notice
- An alternative activity can be offered if no MSPs are able to attend
The role of the First Minister - with added FMQs experience
Suited to National 5 Modern Studies and over, curriculum level National 5 (not recommended for primary schools)
Length of session:
- 2 hours 15 minutes
Maximum numbers
- 40
Days available
- Thursday
Times available
- 11.00 – 13.15
Format
- 45 minute presentation
- 45 minutes to 1 hour in Debating Chamber for FMQs
- 30 minute Q&A with MSPs (subject to availability)
Content
- Devolution and devolved matters
- The role of MSPs
- Role of the First Minister
- FMQs and scrutiny of the work of the Scottish Government
- The relevance and importance of FMQs
- The role of committees
MSPs
- Constituency and Regional MSPs for the school / college / university campus based on the postcode provided
- This is subject to MSP availability and diaries can change at short notice
- An alternative activity can be offered if no MSPs are able to attend
Scrutiny and accountability: Chamber and committees
Suited to Higher Modern Studies or Politics, curriculum level Higher
Length of session
- 90 minutes
Maximum numbers
- 40
Days available
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
Times available with tour
- 10.00 – 11.30
- 11.00 – 12.30
Times available with Debating Chamber business
- 1.15 – 2.45
Format
- 30 minute presentation
- 30 minute tour OR watching business in the Debating Chamber
- 30 minute Q&A with MSPs (subject to availability)
Content
- Devolution and devolved matters
- The role of MSPs
- The role of the First Minister
- The role of committees
- Scottish Parliament scrutiny of the Scottish Government
- FMQs
- Committees
MSPs
- Constituency and Regional MSPs for the school / college / university campus based on the postcode provided
- This is subject to MSP availability and diaries can change at short notice
- An alternative activity can be offered if no MSPs are able to attend
Sessions for larger groups
Suited to curriculum level CfE Level 2 and above
Length of session
- 90 minutes
Maximum numbers
- 80
Days available
- Monday
- Friday
Times available
- 11.00 – 12.15 (start and end time can be adjusted by request)
Format
- 45 minute presentation
- 45 minute tour
- Groups over 40 will be split. Half will have the tour followed by the presentation, and half the presentation followed by the tour
Content
- Presentation – as appropriate to level of group
- Tour – Full tour includes Garden Lobby, Debating Chamber and a Committee. Tour length and content may need to be adjusted for late arrival or route closures
- MSPs (not as standard) – as Mondays and Fridays are non-business days, MSPs cannot usually attend. MSPs will be advised of the school’s visit. If an MSP is available, the session and tour will be reduced to 30 minutes each to allow time for a Q&A with the MSP/s
How to use the calendar
The calendar provides an overview of available slots for a Parliament visit. Since it takes up to three days to process new booking requests, it does not contain live information and we cannot guarantee your requested time.
- Use the arrows at the top of the calendar to browse available dates. These will appear in green.
- Select the date you would like. Available timeslots will appear next to the calendar.
- Make a note of your preferred timeslot, and then head over to the booking form using the "Book now" button underneath the calendar. You'll need to manually add your preferred date in the booking form.
Purchase tickets from Citizen Ticket.
