Following the Scottish devolution referendum , 1997 , and the passing of the Scotland Act 1998 by the Parliament of the United Kingdom , the Scottish Parliament was reconvened on 1 July 1999 .
With much more limited powers than its 18th - century predecessor .
Following the Scottish devolution referendum , 1997 , and the passing of the Scotland Act 1998 by the Parliament of the United Kingdom , the Scottish Parliament was reconvened on 1 July 1999 , although with much more limited powers than its 18th - century predecessor .