Our MSPs love whisky and golf, but not the parliament

Published on Thursday 6 April 2006 01:39

MEMBERS of the Scottish Parliament asked to nominate their Seven Wonders of Scotland chose whisky and golf as their favourite national icons.

The Forth Bridge, Edinburgh's Old and New Towns, the Prehistoric Treasures of Orkney, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and the Scottish sense of humour also made the top seven.

On Saturday, The Scotsman reveals the winning wonders in a 24-page souvenir magazine. More than 50,000 votes were cast, including our mini-poll of MSPs. Whisky was a clear winner at Holyrood, followed by golf and the Forth Bridge. The Scottish Parliament missed out.

There was a wide variety of selections, including a vote from Scottish Socialist Tommy Sheridan for his mother. Tory MSP Mary Scanlon voted for porridge, while Green leader Robin Harper named Tabasco sauce.

Glasgow Conservative MSP Bill Aitken agreed the list contained iconic features but complained "only two of them come from Scotland's premier city". To remedy this, he voted for Hampden Park, Glasgow City Chambers, Kelvingrove Museum and Glasgow University. He added: "I think the view of Edinburgh Castle from Princes Street is also of outstanding iconic value. Just a pity it's not in Glasgow!"

• Don't miss the 24-page Seven Wonders magazine on Saturday.