Scotland on Sunday

Even in a hard hat, a fluorescent jacket and big, black Wellington boots, Benedetta Tagliabue turns heads. As I stumble awkwardly through the chaos and confusion of the building site that is the Scottish Parliament, she glides over hillocks of rubble with grace and effortless elegance, head held high, a smile for every passing workman on her lightly tanned face. It is symbolic of the way that this glamorous Italian has ridden out the storm of controversy, calumny and secrecy surrounding the building, designed by her late husband. At 41, the widow - a description she dislikes - of Enric Miralles, the avant-garde Catalan architect of the parliament, is certainly worth the wolf whistles that pursue her through clouds of heat and dust on a sunshine-filled afternoon. You can see why she is said to be able to charm any combatitive politician. With long hair the colour of bitter chocolate, she is dressed in eau-de-nil silk and chiffon, exuding a predictable Mediterranean warmth - although understandably there are moments when this fades to sadness.