Scotland's Labour Euro-MPs have divided the country into three, writes Rory Watson, European Correspondent, Brussels.
Glasgow-based Bill Miller will take responsibility for the West of Scotland, ranging from Carrick up to the Western Isles. The former Lothians member, David Martin, will concentrate on the Borders, Orkney, and Shetland, and a swathe of central Scotland stretching from Falkirk to Perth.
The newest member of the team, Catherine Taylor, faces the challenge from her St Andrews base of keeping on top of Euro-issues as they affect the Highlands and Islands, North-east Scotland, and the western end of the Central Belt.
The arrangements are a direct result of the introduction of proportional representation and the decision to turn the eight previous Euro-constituencies into one, embracing the whole country.
Somehow, MEPs have to find effective ways to represent some five million people scattered over almost 80,000 sq km in an area which is one-third the size of Britain. No other Euro MPs face such a challenge.
The Labour trio have also divided up EU policy areas between themselves with Ms Taylor taking on agriculture and fisheries, Mr Miller industrial and economic issues, and Mr Martin foreign policy and regional and transport matters.
The Scottish National Party has adopted a similar division of labour, effectively drawing a line from Dunfermline to Fort William. North of the divide the former North East MEP Ian Hudghton will take the lead, while to the south the running will be largely made by his fellow SNP Euro MP Prof Neil MacCormick.
The two Conservative MEPs, Struan Stevenson and John Purvis, are going for a slightly different approach. Convinced a geographical division of the country is unworkable, they are focusing on policy areas which are of greatest interest to the Scottish electorate. The first will speak on agriculture and fisheries, the second on business, industry and trade issues.
Scotland's sole Liberal Democrat MEP, Elspeth Attwooll, does not have the luxury of divvying up her parliamentary responsibilities.
All four major political parties stress that they will be relying heavily on MSPs and MEPs, as well as local councillors, to channel Euro-concerns to them and on their offices to help distribute EU information.
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