Just Visiting.

And courtesy of Drumlanrig again, "Being an MSP would be a great job, if it wasn't for those pesky constituents. The new Holyrood expenses also show that eight members have even farmed out the job of showing visiting voters round the Parliament, spending a total of £700 on on-site tour guides to do the job. Step forward Bashir Ahmad, Keith Brown, Malcolm Chisholm, Fiona Hyslop, Richard Lochhead, Kenny MacAskill, Mary Mulligan and Mike Russell."

Mr Smith can understand why Ministers may not always be able to take the time to show constituents around the Parliament as events overtake their diaries, but are the others really that hard pressed for time, and don't the Ministers have staff that could do the job for them?

Fine Display

So, "SCOTTISH Parliament bosses have spent more than £50,000 on revamping the exhibition in the public entrance foyer of the Holyrood building. New features include a new touch-screen display, audio commentary, a model of the chamber and better access for children and wheelchair users."

It seems rather unfair of our elected representatives to be complaining about spending £50,000 on improving the visitor experience to the Scottish Parliament. By all accounts the display that was there was pretty naff and £50,000 weighed up against the £413 million cost of the Parliament really isn't even a hill of beans.

What's the point of encouraging people to visit Holyrood if there isn't really very much for them to see?

Admit One.

So, "THE cost of taking a guided tour of the Scottish Parliament went up again. Adult visitors to the £414 million Holyrood building must now pay £6 a time for the tour, compared to a previous charge of £5. The concessionary price for under-16s, over-60s, students, unemployed and disabled people, went up from £3 to £3.60, and a family ticket from £15.20 to £18."

Mr Smith advises anyone who wants to visit the Scottish Parliament to contact their MSP, or indeed one of the nine MSPs that represent them, and ask them if they would be prepared to show a constituent around Holyrood - you will save a fortune. They might even buy you a cup of coffee and a biscuit.

April Fools.

Mr Smith reads that "CHARGES for tours of the Scottish Parliament are set to rise again next year. Visitors will have to pay £6 a time for a guided tour of the £414 million Holyrood building from April 1."

Or people could just arrange to meet their MSP at Holyrood - everyone has nine to choose from - and ask them to given them a guided tour and that they would save enough money to be able to buy a cup of tea and a bun in the Parliament's coffee shop. Sounds like the better idea to Mr Smith.