Former colleagues of the late first minister Alex Salmond are set to address his funeral, as announced recently. Kenny MacAskill, the acting leader of the Alba Party, and SNP MSP Fergus Ewing will deliver eulogies at the service to be held at Strichen Parish Church on Tuesday morning. Salmond, aged 69, passed away suddenly from a heart attack earlier in the month while in North Macedonia attending a conference. The private funeral service near his home will be followed by a burial at Strichen Cemetery, with a public memorial planned for a later date. Christina Hendry, the daughter of Salmond’s sister Gail, will also speak at the service.
Salmond’s body was flown back to Scotland with expenses covered by Sir Tom Hunter, a billionaire philanthropist. The coffin was welcomed by family members, Kenny MacAskill, and a lone piper before being escorted by a group of independence-supporting bikers to a funeral home in Fraserburgh. Salmond, a two-time leader of the SNP, played a pivotal role in the independence movement, leading the party to victory in the 2007 and 2011 elections. His influence led to a referendum on Scottish independence in 2014, which resulted in a 55-45% vote in favor of remaining in the Union.
In 2018, Salmond resigned from the SNP after facing allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and was acquitted of in 2020. His legacy in Scottish politics is significant, and his passing has been felt deeply across the country.
In summary, the funeral of former first minister Alex Salmond will be a poignant moment, with colleagues and family members paying tribute to his contributions to Scottish politics. Salmond’s leadership and impact on the independence movement will be remembered as part of his enduring legacy.