North East Scotland

Aberdeen Central - just the Big 4 here. The current numbers have us saying goodbye to Lewis Macdonald, who's likely to be defeated by the SNP's Karen Shirron.

Aberdeen North - again, just the Big 4. Elaine Thomson is trying to win back the seat she lost in 2003, but Brian Adam is likely to hold onto it for the SNP.

Aberdeen South - while I don't wish to play on stereotypes, it's telling that only the four main parties have been willing to stump up the £500 deposit in the three city seats. Anyway, I now have to brace myself for a wave of angry e-mails, but in the meantime let me tell you that the incumbent MSP is LibDem Leader and Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen. He's going to hold on.

Angus - just the Big 4 here. Andrew Welsh is likely to keep his seat for the SNP.

Banff & Buchan - again, I can't see much happening: just the Big 4 are standing and Stewart Stevenson is pretty safe.

Dundee East - the usual suspects again. Shona Robison won this seat by a whisker in 2003, and she looks like consolidating her hold this time around. Her challenger is Iain Luke, former MP for the Constituency who was defeated by Robison's husband, Stewart Hosie, in 2005.

Dundee West - just the Big 4 again, and with Kate Maclean standing down, Labour's candidate is Jill Shimi. However, the winner of this seat looks likely to be the SNP's Joe Fitzpatrick.

Gordon - the Big 4, along with a candidate from the Scottish Enterprise Party and two independents: Donald Marr and Dave Mathers. The numbers say a Nora Radcliffe win, but the SNP Candidate is one Mr. A. Salmond, who happens to be SNP Leader, and is on the Regional part of every ballot paper as 'Alex Salmond for First Minister'. Some have accused the SNP of personality, presidential-style politics, but if his first name didn't begin with the first letter of the alphabet, I don't think the SNP would be doing this. Basically, I'm ignoring my numbers and going with my gut: Salmond will be MSP for Gordon on May 4.

West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine - the Big 4 here again. It's safe Mike Rumbles territory.

The Regional List - aside from the Big 8, the BNP, CPA, SCP, Socialist Labour and UKIP are all having ago, along with NHSFirst and the SEP. It looks like Labour will end up with 3 MSPs (The sitting Richard Baker and Marlyn Glen, along with Kevin Hutchens), 2 Tories (incumbents Alex Johnstone and Nanette Milne, meaning that fellow Tory Ian Davidson is in jeopardy) and depending on the outcome in Gordon, 1-2 SNP MSPs (Salmond if he needs it, Maureen Watt either way) and 0-1 LibDems (Alison MacInnes if Nora Radcliffe loses). This means that one Party Leader will not be in Holyrood: Green Co-Convener Shiona Baird.