Is this remotely normal? 1.2tsi 105. Makes a whirl kind of sound ok startup, almost like the turbo spooling up.

It's not actually as high pitched as I may have made out, the pitch is rather that of a hairdryer.

On start up, or before?

It its before it could be the fuel pump priming

Definitely on startup. In fact. I may have just answered my own question, it sounds like like the starter motor hasn't disengaged quick enough.