In the discussion of the possible location and plans for the Parliament Buildings, we support the Calton Hill campus site, not least for its centrality and accessibility in the public transport networks, though also for the magnificence of the site and the historic connections and symbolism. Where better to marry Scotland's past with Scotland's future? The addition of a Holyrood site to those under consideration, though more acceptable than Leith or Haymarket, does not change the CSP's preference.
We sponsored an Exhibition on this (Dec 3rd - 19th) in the Dept of Architecture, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, and held an open public forum in the lecture theatre of the National Museum of Scotland on Dec 4th, chaired by Colin Bell. After a full and lively discussion, this forum voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Calton Hill area site (noting that this should not include development of the summit of the hill itself!). The text of Marion Ralls' introduction on behalf of the CSP follows:
Scotland’s Parliament must be at the heart of its capital city, symbolizing its place at the heart of the nation. It must marry Scotland’s historic past and heritage to its lively present and its promising future. In such a beautiful and dramatic country it should have a beautiful and dramatic site. And it should embody Scotland’s values: the commitment to democracy and openness, to quality and integrity, to rationality and adaptability, to diversity in unity at home and an international outlook abroad.
The exhibition in the Edinburgh University Department of Architecture illustrates the historic significance of Calton Hill; its own history, buildings and monuments span our national history and pre-occupations. Philosophy, literature and science are represented by Hume, Burns and the Royal Observatory. Social order and individual freedom are there in the prison for offenders, in the open public park and space for the washerwomen and in votes for the common man represented by the Muir monument. Calton Hill has always belonged, as the Parliament must, to the people, and as the City has grown, it has held together the Old Town and the New, the extension out to Leith, and by its very visibility the surrounding suburbs. At the heart of Scotland’s transport networks it is easily accessible to Scots coming in from all parts of the country, and to all the visitors coming to Edinburgh on business and pleasure. Its skyline is an essential part of Scotland’s image.
The nation as well as the city looks in to Calton Hill; and Calton Hill looks over the city and out to the whole nation and the world. It combines Scotland’s best cityscape with the landscape drama of Arthur’s Seat, reminding all that Scotland is both urban and rural; it sits in the densely populated city in the Central Belt, but looks across the Forth and out to sea, reminding all of Scotland’s coastal and island communities, and its international outlook.
By a fortunate co-incidence of history, just at the moment when we need it for our new parliament, there are not only appropriate historic buildings of good quality available for adaptation, but also ample space for future development and such new buildings as may be required. The overall site is ideal. The possibilities for early accommodation are acceptable. The potential for staged development and with it acceptable cost patterns is attractive both politically and practically. The aesthetic and the inspirational potential is breathtaking. The informed criteria for the ‘Brief’ are beginning to emerge, as highly qualified and sensitive professionals begin to put together the Scottish people’s descriptions of the kind of democracy we demand (a sort of functional specification) with the wide possibilities offered by this location. Several broad propositions are already being developed.
We can see present requirements for adequate provision for a debating chamber for a proportionally representative parliament, working in co-operative rather than confrontational mode; for parliamentary committees which work closely with civic society; for public and media access and facilities and the use of information technology to support the inter-active democracy Scotland demands. If we are to be active, responsible and contributing citizens we will need to know what our parliament is considering, debating, proposing and legislating, and we will need to be able to make our contributions in a timely and orderly way. We know that a truly representative parliament will include a proper balance of men and women and of various social and ethnic minorities, and this will require provision for certain support facilities, such as a family centre, and a restaurants which can meet a variety of dietary requirements.
But just as the telematics requirements of today were unpredictable 30 years ago, so we must keep open the options for developments which cannot yet be defined. The extent of the whole Calton Hill area and its very variety gives just this future adaptability, and can combine an overall inspired plan with a rational and cost-effective staged implementation. This is an investment for Scotland’s future on an historic timescale. The world is watching; the international community of architects and planners (including many Scots) are eagerly anticipating the promised open competition. Calton Hill is a worthy site. Now it is up to the nation to show itself worthy of the challenge and the opportunity.