MSPS STARTED moving in to the new Parliament at Holyrood yesterday and gave their first impressions of the £431 million building—a mixture of admiration and a few grumbles, writes Steve Bargeton, political editor.

There was general agreement that the building is a huge improvement on the makeshift complex which was their home for the last five years.

They were impressed with the architecture of the complex, but some complained about storage space in their offices, shoddy workmanship and the heat in the offices.

The SNP, Tories and Greens moved in yesterday with Labour, Liberal Democrats and independents due to flit today.

Dundee West Labour MSP Kate Maclean, who does not officially move in until today, but has been in the building several times, said, “I think the public areas, the foyers and the committee rooms are quite spectacular.

“Obviously a lot of material has been used which is sourced in Scotland which gives the place a very Scottish feel.

“The facilities for staff are superior. All in all I have a good feeling about it.”

Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Ted Brocklebank said, “I think there is some extremely interesting space in the building and the chamber is amazing.

“Our offices are not large, why would MSPs need large offices? But compared to where we were, it is absolute luxury.”

SNP Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Tricia Marwick said, “It has the potential to be a smashing building. The space is good, but there is a great deal unfinished.

“The concrete may grow on me, but it does not excite me at the moment.”

Dundee East MSP Shona Robison said, “Our offices are very well equipped and a huge improvement on what we had before.

“There is an awful lot to be finished off, but generally I am quite positive.”

North East Scotland Green MSP Shiona Baird said, “It is a truly inspiring building. A building of 21st century quality and my first impression is that the big message it sends to us all—politicians, that is—is to collectively raise our game to match the expense and quality that has been spent on this project.

“Mistakes have been made during the Holyrood project, and we must ensure these are not repeated. I hope it marks a new era for Scottish politics and that we start delivering for Scotland.”

Green Party leader Robin Harper agreed. “This building is truly magnificent in every respect and I hope it will come to represent the high standard of political work that the people of Scotland deserve from all politicians.”

Perth SNP MSP Roseanna Cunningham said, “The office space is slightly more generous than I anticipated but there’s a serious lack of filing and storage space, given it’s a parliamentary office.

“I’m really disappointed at how dark it is. Clearly the lights are going to have to be on all the time, even in the summer.”

Campbell Martin, who was expelled from the SNP earlier this year, described the workmanship in his office as “shoddy.”

“It looks unfinished, to be quite honest, and I know a good plasterer from Ardrossan who could give it a finishing coat,” he said.

Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said, “Initially the building is very impressive in terms of space and facilities.

“However, I would have to reserve judgment on the exterior.”

Scottish Socialist MSP Rosie Kane said, “You can’t deny that this is beautiful, it’s a great work-space, it’s roomy and airy and it seems like a healthy place to work, so you can’t grumble.

“You can grumble politically about the price, the project and whether we needed this at all.”

Linda Fabiani, the SNP’s representative on the Holyrood Progress Group overseeing the project, said, “I believe it’s better than what we had up the road, it’s far superior, and even from a privacy aspect it’s great.”