Scotland’s only dual mandate parliamentarian has promised to take part in all “key votes” at Westminster and Holyrood.
Former First Minister Alex Salmond said he would be dividing his time between the two parliaments until he stands down as MSP for Aberdeenshire East next year.
The 60-year-old, who did not attend first minister’s question time yesterday or last Thursday, said he was confident he would be able to represent all of his constituents to the best of his ability.
Mr Salmond, who was elected the MP for Gordon last month, has held a dual mandate twice before – between 1999-2001 and 2007-2010.
He said he would be donating his MSP salary, which has been reduced to £19,697, to the Mary Salmond Trust, which supports good causes in the north-east.
Mr Salmond has donated £99,960 from previous dual mandate MSP salaries to the organisation set up in memory of his late mother.
The former SNP leader last spoke in the Scottish Parliament on March 3 and last voted on May 14.
Mr Salmond said: “I will be in the Scottish Parliament next week and the week after because we have third stage bills going through.
“At various times there are going to be key votes in one of the parliaments and I’ll make sure I am there.
“You just have to work harder.
“I am confident that I can represent my constituents to the best of my ability and that is what I will be doing.”
Mr Salmond said he was very explicit about his career plan during the general election campaign.
“Everyone voted for in Gordon in the full knowledge that I was continuing as the MSP for Aberdeenshire East,” he added.
“People have spoken on these matters with experience and back my ability to serve their interests.”
Mr Salmond said he was enjoying his return to Westminster and had 55-strong group of “fantastic” colleagues.
He added that it was a new experience for him because in the past he had to “run round and look like a crowd” but now the SNP was a crowd.