Mr Stone, whose constituency covers Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, puts his rising claims down to travel costs.

In the 2008/9 financial year, he received £50,449.35 in expenses, compared to £42,220.28 during 2007/8. His total travel bill came to over £11,000 - largely due to the yearly mileage claim to cover the constituency - set at nearly £10,000 - while over £1000 was shelled out on taxis.

Speaking to the Caithness Courier yesterday, Mr Stone said: "For the last 10 years I have been in the top three and this is because of the size of the constituency and the remoteness from Edinburgh where I have to drive a return journey every week.

"I think my constituents understand the geography. If I was not doing the miles I would not be doing the job properly."

The Far North MSP came second to Shetland Lib Dem MSP and party leader Tavish Scott who claimed £57,974.

Holyrood figures released last week showed that MSPs' claims varied by tens of thousands of pounds.

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Peter Peacock received £33,654.03, while Rhoda Grant got £34,927.13 and Mary Scanlon £38,023.57.

The total bill to the taxpayer for Holyrood's 129 MSPs during 2008/9 was around £11 million, a rise of almost nine per cent compared with the previous financial year.

Figures from the Scottish Parliament showed that most of the cash was spent on staff and salaries.

A total of £7.32m was spent on staff, compared with £6.744m the previous year, following a recommendation from an independent inquiry that staff salaries at Holyrood were low and should be increased.

Statistics also showed that spending on office supplies rocketed by 31.12 per cent, from £363,743 to £476,931.

An increase in postal charges was said to be the main factor. Bulk deliveries incurred Mr Stone a bill of £473.76.

He was among a number of MSPs who were claiming money for Remembrance Day wreaths.

He received £42 in October last year for two wreaths.

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