The battle lines of the new parliament were drawn yesterday as Nicola Sturgeon and Ruth Davidson confirmed their top teams.
Both leaders announced new-look frontbenches following the election, in which the Scottish Conservatives were elevated to the main opposition.
The first minister lavished praise on her new team – which includes a trio of ministers from Aberdeen – who she said “cannot wait to get started”.
Tory leader Ms Davidson said her shadow cabinet would “hold the SNP to account”.
Her appointments include north-east MSP Peter Chapman, who will go head-to-head with Inverness and Nairn’s Fergus Ewing in the rural portfolio.
Speaking before parliament unanimously backed her appointments, Ms Sturgeon said: “I think that the team that I have announced is a strong team of cabinet secretaries and ministers.
“They are now eager to get on with the job that lies before them.
“In my view, the scale of the SNP’s success in the election two weeks ago was in no small part down to the strength and success of the ministerial team.
“All those who are nominated in (the) motions are aware of the trust that I and we as a parliament will place in them.
“Having spoken to every one of them over the course of (Wednesday), I know that they cannot wait to get started.”
Major changes in Ms Sturgeon’s team include John Swinney being moved into the education brief, with Derek Mackay promoted to handle finance.
Humza Yousaf will take over as minister for transport and the islands.
Ms Davidson, meanwhile, handed senior jobs to Mr Chapman, as well as the Highland’s Douglas Ross and Donald Cameron.
She said: “The Scottish Conservatives have brought a fresh team to the Scottish Parliament and this new shadow cabinet is proof of that.
“It is a blend of experience and new talent who are ready and raring to go.
“This team brings talent and expertise from outside the parliament into the elected politics of Scotland.
“They will do the job that people in Scotland want to see from us – holding the SNP to account, putting forward positive policy alternatives and ensuring that, through strong opposition, we get better government.”
Ms Davidson’s appointments mirrored the positions of Ms Sturgeon’s cabinet, where she has created and changed a number of portfolios.
A new post of environment and climate change has been created, which is filled by Roseanna Cunningham and effectively splits the rural affairs brief.
Responsibility for finance, which was previously carried out under a single portfolio held by Mr Swinney, has been split, with Mr Mackay taking finance and Keith Brown in charge of economy and jobs.
Aberdeen South and North Kincardine MSP Maureen Watt has been given the brand new position of mental health minister.
There is no change for Shona Robison, who remains health secretary, while Michael Matheson stays on as justice secretary and Fiona Hyslop will continue as culture and external affairs secretary.
