The Scottish Parliament

At the foot of the Royal Mile stands one of Britain's most debated modern buildings: the Scottish Parliament, opened in 2004. Designed by Catalan architect Enric Miralles, who sadly died before its completion, the complex is meant to grow out of the land itself — its shapes inspired by upturned boats, leaves, and Charles Rennie Mackintosh's flower paintings. The project famously cost around ten times its original estimate, arriving three years late at over £400 million, and locals argued fiercely over its merits. Yet it went on to win the Stirling Prize, the UK's highest architectural honour. More importantly, it represents something historic: after the Act of Union in 1707 dissolved Scotland's old parliament, the country waited 292 years for its own legislature to reconvene. When the devolved parliament first met in 1999, it marked a new chapter in Scottish self-governance. Visitors are welcome inside — the debating chamber, with its sweeping timber roof, is worth a look. From here it's just a few minutes further east, down to the foot of the Royal Mile. There stands the palace that has closed off the end of this street for more than four hundred years.