In 1997, the Scots successfully fought for their own parliament via a referendum - after almost 300 years of administration from the distant city of London. The architectural competition was won by the Catalan-national Enric Miralles (EMBT, Barcelona). His design for the irregularly shaped site in Edinburgh used the sympathetic metaphor of a harbour bay full of boats. Despite many adversities and tragic events - Miralles died in 2000, in the middle of the implementation planning - the parliament building was successfully completed and opened in 2004. This is due in no small way to the professionalism of the London-based architectural offices of RMJM. A collage of diversity with organic-looking details characterises the building's appearance.