It is now less than a year to go until the 2026 Scottish Parliament election - and the starting gun has been well and truly fired.
The leaders of the main political parties have spent the past week already setting out their stalls and their pitches to woo voters over the next 12 months.
The SNP also unveiled its list of candidates for the constituency seats, with a number of familiar names making the cut.
But there are some seats which will be interesting ones to watch, with high-profile names after a spot and tight margins being contested.
Here are 16 seats that will be either hotly contested, involve high-profile names or will be ones to watch for next year’s count.
5. Ayr
In 2021, government minister Siobhian Brown won this seat off of the Conservatives - but only by 170 votes. This is the smallest majority of any of the current constituency MSPs. On top of this, Scottish Labour won Central Ayrshire at last year’s general election with a majority of over 8,600. This seat really could be anyone’s to grab in 2026. Photo: Lisa Ferguson
6. Inverness and Nairn
This is another seat the Lib Dems feel confident they can cause an upset, particularly after winning the Highland capital in last year’s general election. But there are others also eyeing up this seat, not least the SNP’s Emma Roddick. Ms Roddick is currently a regional MSP for the Highlands and Islands. However there is a chance both the Lib Dems and the SNP might have a bigger beast to grapple with - Fergus Ewing. Mr Ewing won this seat for the SNP in 2021 with a 9,114 majority and his name is synonymous with the nationalist cause. He has said he will not stand for the SNP in 2026 - but has left the door open for running as an independent candidate. | Jane Barlow PA
7. Dumbarton
This is the seat held by Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie. But she only has a majority of 1,483 which other parties will be looking to overturn. Given how keen the Scottish Labour Party is to win the 2026 election and take over government, winning constituency seats like this will be key. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
8. Glasgow Cathcart and Pollock
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar failed to win a constituency seat in the 2021 election and had to rely on the safety net of the regional list to get elected. However he will be hoping this time he can win in Glasgow Cathcart and Pollock and prove he can lead an election-winning party. Another reason this is an interesting constituency to watch - Pollock is currently represented by former first minister Humza Yousaf, who is stepping down from frontline politics in 2026. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell