Just visited the amazing new Scottish Parliament building designed by Enric Mirailes — complex doesn’t begin to describe it! I’d hate to have been the builders - every item looked different, with almost no straight walls. We resisted the temptation to sit in the First Minister’s seat in the debating chamber, or press his (voting) buttons (ooo errr). We loved the idea of the Contemplation Pods designed to encourage the MSPs to think carefully before going to the Chamber, and Martha spotted the

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight (Psalm 19.14)

phrase carved on the outside of the building, which couldn’t be more fitting. The building is almost inpsiring enough to make you want to be a Scottish Parliamentarian, particularly they now have some powers.

We spent some time discussing the Jack Straw article in Prospect about the West Lothian question, which says that it’s best to leave it be, otherwise you’ll start down the path of full devolution …

Unlike normal, we spent today getting good exercise climbing two of the main heights around Edinburgh. We were feeling fresh so climbed up the 143 steps to the top of the Nelson Monument set at the top of Calton Hill to get some fine views over a slightly hazy Edinburgh skyline. It’s not often you get to look down almost vertically on a tree, though the photo of it isn’t as interesting as you think it should be. (The photos are shots that I took without a tripod and made into panoramas using the excellent AutoStitch application.)

Following a hint from others in the B&B we went down Victoria Row where there were lots of interesting shops, and had a fantastic lunch at Maison Bleue. Martha had Moules Marinieres, Sea Bass and Chessecake all for under £8! Suitably fortified, we then headed up the mound to the Castle, checked that the Honours of Scotland (~the Crown Jewels) hadn’t been nicked, and looked back to Calton Hill the other way.