Leaders from the political realm are set to gather in Edinburgh to honour the memory of Alex Salmond, the former First Minister of Scotland, at a public memorial service. The event comes after Salmond’s passing in North Macedonia at the age of 69. Among the notable attendees expected are current First Minister John Swinney, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown is also anticipated to pay his respects at the service, which will take place at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.
The memorial service will be presided over by Reverend George Whyte, with tributes and readings to be delivered by close associates of Salmond, including lifelong friend and Alba Party acting leader Kenny MacAskill, political ally Fergus Ewing, and Conservative MP Sir David Davis. Salmond’s niece, Christina Hendry, will also share her reflections on the late First Minister. The service will feature musical performances by Dougie MacLean singing Caledonia and The Proclaimers.
In a statement released by Salmond’s family, they expressed gratitude for the outpouring of condolences received since his passing. The memorial service is expected to be at full capacity, with only registered guests granted entry, requiring photo ID for security purposes. For those unable to attend, live coverage will be available through the BBC, Sky News, and STV News.
Alex Salmond served as First Minister of Scotland from 2007, leading the SNP to a majority victory in 2011 and overseeing the independence referendum in 2014. Despite resigning after the referendum, Salmond remained active in politics, serving as an SNP MSP from 2015 to 2017. Following a dispute with Nicola Sturgeon, he left the SNP and founded the Alba Party, standing as a candidate in the 2021 Holyrood election. Salmond’s sudden passing occurred while attending a conference in North Macedonia, with his body repatriated with the assistance of businessman Sir Tom Hunter. He was laid to rest in a private family ceremony near his home in Strichen, Aberdeenshire.
This event serves as a poignant moment for political leaders and the public to reflect on the legacy of Alex Salmond, a significant figure in Scottish politics who made a lasting impact during his tenure as First Minister. The gathering of diverse political figures and the inclusion of personal tributes highlight the respect and admiration for Salmond’s contributions to Scotland.