The new MSPs are in Holyrood - what happens now?
Take a look at what to expect in the first week of parliament.
The newly-elected MSPs are getting themselves acquainted with the inner workings of Holyrood as they begin their five-year terms in the Scottish Parliament.
A lot of the initial days in parliament are technical and ceremonial, welcoming everyone in and making sure the new MSPs can find the important things like the coffee machine and the toilets.
The real business of getting on with running the country will not come for a few more days. Here is what to expect from the first few days of this new parliament.
Monday 11 May
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone and the parliament’s chief executive David McGill will officially welcome all the newly-elected MSPs to parliament first thing in the morning.
Ms Johnstone is also due to give a welcome address and there is an official welcome event in the debating chamber.
The main business of the day is getting MSPs’ official photographs taken, handing out IT equipment, and allocating them their temporary offices.
All the new MSPs will be assigned a “buddy” from the Scottish Parliament staff. This buddy will help them get around parliament and tell them all about the inner workings of the corridors of power.
Tuesday 12 May
The inductions continue into a second day, with returning MSPs expected to join them in the building.
In the afternoon parliament staff will meet with the new MSPs to tell them about their work and how they can support the new MSPs. They are also due to have their photograph taken with Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone.
In the evening, Ms Johnstone will host a reception for all the new and returning MSPs.
Wednesday 13 May
The official Kirking of the Parliament takes place at St Giles’ Cathedral on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile on Wednesday.
This is an interfaith service which includes newly-elected MSPs, diplomats and church leaders and is a ceremonial way to mark the beginning of the new parliament.
Thursday 14 May
This is the first official meeting of the parliament, and will see all MSPs taking their oaths.
Outgoing Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone will oversee the oaths and affirmations. These oaths are said in English, but MSPs can repeat it in another language if they wish.
Once the MSPs are officially sworn in, the election of a new presiding officer will take place in the afternoon. The outgoing presiding officer oversees the election and the first job of the new presiding officer is to elect tier deputies.
Friday 15 May
The parliamentary bureau will be set up. The bureau is made up of the presiding officer and a representative from each of the parties in Holyrood and they discuss procedural and timetabling matters.
Issues such as whether Scottish Labour or Reform UK get to ask the first question at weekly FMQs will be decided by the bureau.
Tuesday 19 May
John Swinney will be officially sworn in as First Minister - other parties may well mount a challenge to this, but will most likely not have the backing to win against Mr Swinney.
Once this has happened, government ministers and committee conveners can be appointed, and the parliament can get on with the job of running the country.
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