We were so impressed

On this day last year we visited the Scottish Parliament (Parlamaid na h-Alba) in Edinburgh. As former public service senior executives we maintain a keen interest in parliaments. We were bowled over by the building, particularly the interior. The photo shows the design of the Members' seats in the Debating Chamber.

The Debating Chamber is shaped as a semi-circle, not in the traditional and confrontational face to face structure, like those in Australia and the Houses of Parliament in London. We know that the physical environment has an impact on group behaviour and group mentality. We wonder, and hope, that it makes a difference to the effectiveness of the Scottish Parliament.

The extra is one of the visitors' sitting areas in the Debating Chamber. Every detail was satisfying.