Rishi Sunak is due to start assembling his top team after being confirmed as the UK’s next prime minister.
With the Scottish Government pushing for a second independence referendum to be held next year, the job of secretary of state for Scotland will be vital.
We have taken a look at some of the main contenders for the post.
1 – Andrew Bowie
The West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP has been a vocal supporter of Mr Sunak and could now be rewarded with a top Cabinet job.
The 35-year-old, an Aberdeen University graduate and Royal Navy reservist who grew up in Alford and Inverurie, won his seat in 2017.
He was made parliamentary private secretary to Prime Minister Theresa May in 2019 and was appointed as one of six vice chairmen of the Conservative Party later that year.
Mr Bowie stepped back from that role last year at a time when the government was embroiled in a controversy over the Owen Paterson lobbying row.
On Monday, he tweeted: “Just landed in London to brilliant news! Congratulations @RishiSunak Now time to get to work.”
Just landed in London to brilliant news! Congratulations @RishiSunak!
Now time to get to work. 💪🇬🇧
— Andrew Bowie MP (@AndrewBowie_MP) October 24, 2022
2 – Alister Jack
Mr Sunak could opt to keep Mr Jack in a job he has held since Boris Johnson appointed him in 2019.
The pair know each other well, with the Dumfries and Galloway MP having served in the same Cabinet as Mr Sunak while the new leader was chancellor.
Recent prime ministers have tended to favour continuity in the Scottish secretary role, given its sensitivity at a time when Scotland’s future in the Union remains uncertain.
However, Mr Jack is also seen as being loyal to Mr Johnson, and the new prime minister could decide it is time for a fresh start at Dover House.
3 – Ruth Davidson
Could Mr Sunak look to the House of Lords to fill the Scottish secretary post?
It would be controversial not to appoint an MP to the role, but former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson is highly regarded by many in the party, having once been tipped as a future prime minister herself.
Whether she would be willing to return to front-line politics is unclear.
However, Baroness Davidson welcomed Mr Sunak’s victory on Monday.
Congratulations to @RishiSunak on becoming PM. Quite a moment to see a British Asian elected to the highest office of the land and undoubtedly on merit. Big challenges, but I'm hoping for the return of a more grown up, honest, moderate and perhaps even boring politics for a bit.
— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonPC) October 24, 2022
She said: “Congratulations to Rishi Sunak on becoming PM.
“Quite a moment to see a British Asian elected to the highest office of the land and undoubtedly on merit.
“Big challenges, but I’m hoping for the return of a more grown up, honest, moderate and perhaps even boring politics for a bit.”
4 – Michael Gove
The Aberdeen-raised former levelling up secretary has been a key figure shaping the UK Government’s policies relating to Scotland in recent years.
He previously indicated he would be leaving front-line politics.
However, Mr Gove was also a key backer of Mr Sunak in the leadership campaign.
Could he be tempted back to help lead the battle to save the Union?
5 – David Duguid
The Banff and Buchan MP is currently serving his second stint as a junior minister in the Scotland Office. Could he be in line for a promotion?
6 – John Lamont
The Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP is a close ally of Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross. He supported Penny Mordaunt in the leadership contest.
7 – David Mundell
Nobody in the Tory Party today knows the job better than the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP.
He was Scottish secretary from 2015 to 2019, having previously served as a junior minister in the department for five years, and as shadow secretary of state for five years before that. He also supported Mr Sunak.