MSPs claimed just over £12.8 million in expenses last year, up 8.2% on the previous year as a result of the 2011 elections, new figures show.
The total of £12,818,835 in 2011/12 is £969,436 higher than the £11,849,399 claimed by Holyrood's politicians in 2010/11.
The rise is due to so-called winding-up expenses claimed by MSPs who either stood down or were not returned to the Scottish Parliament at the 2011 elections, Holyrood said.
Excluding these costs, the total expenses paid out to MSPs was just over £11.3 million, representing a decrease of just over £500,000 on the previous year. A total of 48 MSPs claimed winding-up expenses in 2011, which include staff salary costs, staff redundancy and office and accommodation costs.
A spokesman for the Parliament said: "Once election-related winding-up costs are set aside, we see a fall of more than £0.5 million in members' expenses, which reflects the two-year pay and expenses freeze that Holyrood has in place. The Parliament is on course to achieve a 12% saving over four years by 2014/15, which means its annual expenditure will be down by £9.5 million in real terms."
Party leaders' allowance claims fell from £39,829 to £38,368 in 2011/12, a difference of £1,461.
First Minister Alex Salmond claimed £13,361 on expenses such as office rent, travel costs including mileage, and phone bills.
Labour leader Johann Lamont spent £17,831, which included overnight hotel stays in Edinburgh as well as taxi and train fares. The Glasgow MSP spent £800 on website costs and more than £1,050 on surgery advertising.
Conservative leader Ruth Davidson recorded £20,440 of expenses for 2011/12. Her expenses include £148 in June 2011, shortly after the Scottish elections, for MSP staff training entitled "dealing with difficult people".
Willie Rennie, leader of the Liberal Democrats, claimed £19,738, including almost £361 on return flights from Edinburgh to Heathrow in July 2011. Meanwhile, Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie spent £24,266 on expenses including rail passes, overnight hotel stays and other costs.
