The expense claims for both Jackie Baillie, MSP for Helensburghand Lomond, and Stuart McMillan, MSP for West of Scotland, largely reflect the average amount claimed. Ms Baillie spent around £28,255, with Mr McMillan claiming £350 more.

Although there were no duck ponds this year, Ms Baillie claimed 20 per cent of the total budget for meeting expenses, which included one transaction of £311.65 for food and drink for the Bonhill Youth Group.

She said: “In terms of expenses I always aim to maximise the benefit for my constituents. On the whole, this year’s total broadly reflects the average amount claimed by the other constituency MSPs in the region.

“I encourage local schools and community groups to visit the Parliament to see First Minister’s Questions and, after spending up to four hours of travelling, I think that lunch is the least they deserve. I use my meeting expenses to cover some of the costs of my constituents who visit the Parliament and not a single penny benefits me personally.

“I welcome a range of groups from Dumbarton, Vale of Leven, and Helensburgh, including the Bonhill Youth Action Group who visited last year after producing an excellent DVD to educate young people on the dangers of wilful fireraising.

“It is important that voluntary and community organisations have the opportunity to visit Parliament and that MSPs can celebrate the positive work of young people in our local communities.” Aside from spending £10,537.43 on Edinburgh Accommodation, one of Mr McMillan’s most significant expenditures was mailing costs, for which he claimed £2,124.36, mainly for second class stamps.

He told the Advertiser: “I have utilised the parliamentary allowances to ensure my office is properly staffed, and able to address constituent issues, at the same time as informing constituents of the work I am undertaking, through surveys, and mailings .

“I chose not to purchase a property in Edinburgh as I was conscious not to own a property at the expense of the taxpayer. I rent a flat in Edinburgh which I use when I am working at the Scottish Parliament.

“As a regional MSP I cover a vast area of the west of Scotland and believe the allowances I have utilised have allowed me to serve my constituents.

“As always my door is open to members of the public and I’m happy to discuss any questions constituents may have regarding my allowances.” Overall, MSPs’ expenses rose to more than £12.5 million last year, up by around a quarter of a million pounds on 2012-13, according to figures published at Holyrood last week.

There was some controversy surrounding the publication of the figures – not relating to the content of the claims, but the Scottish Parliament website, which was unable to give a full breakdown of the expenses claimed by each politician for a period of time.

The lowest expenses claim was £2,294 from Margo MacDonald, who died in April this year, outwith the financial year covered by the latest expenses figures. The highest claim of £54,297 came from Chic Brodie, MSP for South Scotland.