Winners

If you have never been to the Scottish Parliament you probably don't realise how much goes on there apart from the formal sessions in the Chamber and the committees which you see reported on tv or in the newspapers.

There are thousands of tourists who visit the building each month and hundreds of guests who attend evening meetings , discussions and receptions  every week ( indeed usually three or four a night in different parts of the building) organised by charities or public bodies or sometimes by the Parliament itself .

As I crossed the public lobby this evening to meet someone who was arriving late I became I aware of lots of people in very smart track suits some of whom were wearing big medals.   They turned out to be some of the U.K. competitors in the Special Olympics which was held in Los Angeles this summer and they were being honoured  at a reception by the Presiding Officer of the Parliament Tricia Marwick and the Sports Minister Jamie Hepburn.

The U.K. Won 68 Gold, 69 silver ad 42 Bronze medals at the event  ( with 73 won by the Scottish team members).  Here are three of those Scottish winners - silver medallists in football Daniel, Alastair and Jack.

It was great to meet them and many others.