What is the scottish parliament?

The Scottish Parliament, often called Holyrood, is Scotland's devolved parliament in Edinburgh. It has 129 elected members, known as MSPs, and makes laws on devolved areas such as health, education, justice, transport and some taxes. It opened in 1999 after a referendum in 1997.

Scotland voted for a parliament in a 1997 referendum, with 74% in favour. The Scotland Act 1998 set it up, and it first met in 1999. It moved to its building at Holyrood in 2004. Later Acts in 2012 and 2016 gave it more powers, including over income tax rates and bands and some benefits.

MSPs are elected every five years using the additional member system. 73 represent constituencies and 56 represent eight regions. The largest party usually forms the Scottish Government, led by the First Minister. At the May 2026 election the SNP won 58 seats and Reform UK and Labour 17 each. The Greens won 15, the Conservatives 12 and the Liberal Democrats 10.

Some areas are reserved to Westminster, including defence, foreign affairs, immigration, most of the benefits system and the constitution. Scotland now sets its own income tax on earnings, with six bands from 19% to 48% in 2026/27. Debate continues over whether Holyrood should have more powers or whether Scotland should become independent. The Parliament sits in Edinburgh and elects the First Minister, who leads the Scottish Government.