Parliament Hall in the picture at historic unveiling

Video - 17th century print on display

Watch the film of the official presentation of the historic print in Parliament Hall

A significant image from Scotland’s history has gone on display in Parliament House, Edinburgh.

The print, that dates from the early 1700s, shows the then Scottish Parliament as it appeared when it was in session around 1680.

At an event in Parliament Hall on Friday 20 February, artist Dr Robert Sproul-Cran officially gifted the image to the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service.

Mr Sproul-Cran secured the print whilst looking into the history of the building and the surrounding old town of Edinburgh.

The print, which appeared in Nicholas de Gueudeville’s Atlas Historique, is particularly significant because there is limited information and very few images of the Scottish Parliament from its time sitting in Parliament Hall.

Speaking at the unveiling, the Lord President Lord Pentland said:

“The historic print, which is the subject of tonight’s event, reminds us that the courts are rooted in centuries of history. This building and the justice system have always belonged to the public, from a 17th century parliament to a modern, open court system.”