While there is no Official Opposition in Holyrood, Douglas Ross, as leader of the largest party not in government, acted as the Leader of the Opposition. Ross was appointed leader of the Scottish Conservatives in August 2020, but was not a member of the Scottish Parliament, so Ruth Davidson served as the opposition leader until he was elected in the May 2021 election.
Ross appointed his first Shadow Cabinet on 11 August 2020, which was led by Davidson. After his election to the parliament in the 2021 election, he made a reshuffle of his existing cabinet, which he then led.
First Shadow Cabinet (2020–2021) First Ross Shadow CabinetPortfolioOfficeholderPortraitTermLeader of the Scottish Conservatives MSP GroupRuth Davidson 2020–2021Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education and SkillsJamie Greene 2020–2021 Shadow Cabinet Secretary for JusticeLiam Kerr 2020–2021Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and SportDonald Cameron 2020–2021Shadow Cabinet Secretary for FinanceMurdo Fraser 2020–2021Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land ReformLiz Smith 2020–2021Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and TourismOliver Mundell 2020–2021Shadow Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External AffairsDean Lockhart 2020–2021Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local GovernmentAnnie Wells 2020–2021Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and CultureMaurice Golden 2020–2021Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and ConnectivityGraham Simpson 2020–2021Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older PeopleRachael Hamilton 2020–2021Scottish Conservative Chief WhipMiles Briggs 2020–2021
Second Shadow Cabinet (2021–2023)
+Second Ross Shadow CabinetPortfolioOfficeholderTermLeaderDouglas Ross2021–presentCOVID RecoveryMurdo Fraser2021–presentFinance and EconomyLiz Smith2021–presentEducation and SkillsOliver Mundell2021–2022Stephen Kerr2022–presentHealth and Social CareSandesh Gulhane2021–presentJusticeJamie Greene2021–presentNet Zero, Energy and TransportLiam Kerr2021–presentSocial Justice, Housing and Local GovernmentMiles Briggs2021–presentRural Affairs and IslandsRachael Hamilton2021–presentConstitution, External Affairs and CultureDonald Cameron2021–presentChief WhipStephen Kerr2021–present
Third Shadow Cabinet (2023–2024) Third Ross Shadow Cabinet Minister Portfolio Shadows Term Shadow Cabinet SecretariesDouglas RossLeader of the Scottish ConservativesJohn Swinney2020–2024Meghan GallacherDepute LeaderKate Forbes2022–2024Liz SmithFinance and Local GovernmentShona Robison2021–2024Liam KerrEducation and SkillsJenny Gilruth2022–2024Rachael HamiltonRural Affairs and the IslandsMairi Gougeon2021–2024Murdo FraserBusiness, Economic Growth and TourismKate Forbes2022–2024Sandesh GulhaneHealth and Social CareNeil Gray2021–2024Donald CameronConstitution, External Affairs and CultureAngus Robertson2021–2024Douglas LumsdenNet Zero, Energy and TransportMàiri McAllan2022–2024Fiona HyslopMiles BriggsSocial Security, Housing and EqualitiesShirley-Anne Somerville2022–2024Russell FindlayJusticeAngela Constance2022–2024
References