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Scotland
Opening of the Scottish Parliament

On Saturday 9th of October the new and permanent Scottish Parliament building was opened with the Queen and Sean Connery in attendance.  I was too late to get to it so tried to take some pics from the TV and they kinda worked so here are some pics I took of it.


The Architects wife on the left and The Queen and the First Minister on the right


On the right Prince Philip and the Queen with speaker of the Parliament George Reid


Sean Connery being interviewed and on right political commentary


Bust of the first First Minister Donald Dewar with his son and daughter on right


Some of the crowd that lined and marched on the Royal Mile


Picture left centre is our second first minister and centre right is Winnie Ewing, the SNP's first MP


This is the wife of the architect


Presenter Jackie Bird on the contemplation seat that each MSP has in their private chambers


The Queen's Scottish Crown


The Queen being escorted by the speaker of the Parliament, George Reid


The Queen meets Donald Dewar's Son and Daughter in the Donald Dewar Library and on right meets the leaders of each of Scotland's political parties.


Entertaining the crowds outside


Alex Salmon, leader of the SNP at Westminster taking a photo


Background music being played while folk in the debating chamber wait for the Queen


The Mace being carried in


Lord Lyon and his court come into the chamber


The Scottish Crown comes before the Queen in the chamber


George Reid, the Speaker, gives an excellent short speech


The Queen then replies and the young musician of the year gives a performance


A poem written by our Poet Lauriat is read out and then the current First Minister gives his speech


More music and song follows


Sean Connery is in the guest seats and then it's time for Auld Lang Sang and joining of hands


And lots of applause from everyone which concluded the proceedings

You can see video footage of the opening of Parliament here!

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