Skip to main content

Language: English / GĂ idhlig

Loading…

10-minute talks

Talks take place throughout the day and are free to join.

About the talks

We run regular short talks for visitors who are on a tight schedule. There’s no need to book in advance. 

Our 10-minute talks cover topics including:

  • the history of the Scottish Parliament
  • the work of our MSPs
  • the architecture and design of our building

You can ask our Visitor Services team when these talks will be taking place on the day of your visit.

These are not tours – you will remain in the Main Hall area for the duration of the talk.

More information

Plan your visit

For opening times, parking information and more, go to our plan your visit page.

Don't forget to stop at our shop and café during your visit!

Accessibility

There is a portable hearing loop available for use during talks. This connects to hearing aids which have a 'T-Switch'.

More about accessibility

Visitor behaviour policy

Please remember that this is a working parliamentary building and, as such, you are expected to behave as set out in this policy. We reserve the right to remove visitors who breach this policy and apply a period of exclusion from our public galleries and parliamentary business.

For all visits, please:

  • follow all instructions from parliament staff, including any requests to bring ID with you
  • do not leave your bags and personal belongings unattended
  • do not smoke in the building
  • do not eat or drink, except in the restaurants
  • if given one, wear your visitor lanyard and pass at all times. Return it when asked or when leaving
  • collect any items retained by security as you leave
  • note that protests are not allowed inside the building. Banners, flags and political slogans are forbidden

The Parliament’s Standing Orders cover public access to parliamentary business. They allow the Presiding Officer to set reasonable conditions, and exclusions if these are not met.

For visits to see parliamentary business, please:

  • enter, sit in and leave the galleries quietly and as requested by parliamentary staff
  • switch all electronic devices off, and secure them as instructed by parliamentary staff
  • do not cause a distraction or disruption to parliamentary business. If there is a disruption in the Chamber, the Presiding Officer can ask visitors to leave
  • note that people who wilfully disrupt may face a period of exclusion from future visits
  • do not applaud or shout out during meetings
  • do not take photos, videos or recordings during meetings
  • obtain prior permission to paint, sketch or draw
  • follow the instructions of parliamentary staff on when and where to sit and to leave. For First Minister’s Questions, this includes remaining seated for the entire session. If you need to leave before the session ends, please speak to the nearest member of Parliament staff

Location

Edinburgh, EH99 1SP

Days and times

Monday to Saturday

Duration

10 minutes

Price

Free

More options

Monday to Saturday

(Find out more)

Explore the public areas of the Parliament on your own and visit our permanent exhibition, any time the building is open.

Monday, Friday, Saturday

(Find out more)

Discover more about the history behind the Scottish Parliament and learn about the architecture.