Tributes have poured in for Former Scottish First Minister and Alba Party leader Alex Salmond who has died.
The 69-year-old has passed away after giving a speech in North Macedonia this morning (Saturday, October 12).
Three hours before the news broke he was posting on social media lauding independence as he urged the First Minister John Swinney to think ‘independently, not subserviently’.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer leads the tributes to the political titan, calling him a ‘monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics’ who ‘leaves behind a lasting legacy’.
In a statement he said: ‘For more than 30 years, Alex Salmond was a monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics. He leaves behind a lasting legacy.
The Alba Party leader reportedly passed away after giving a speech in North Macedonia. Pictured: In September 2024
Alex Salmond launches the Yes campaign from a cinema in Edinburgh in 2012
‘As First Minister of Scotland he cared deeply about Scotland’s heritage, history and culture, as well as the communities he represented as MP and MSP over many years of service.
‘My thoughts are with those who knew him, his family, and his loved ones. On behalf of the UK government I offer them our condolences today.
Also paying tribute former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described him as ‘a huge figure in our politics’.
He wrote: ‘While I disagreed with him on the constitutional question, there was no denying his skill in debate or his passion for politics. May he rest in peace.’
Alba general secretary Chris McEleny shared his tribute to Salmond, writing: ‘Thank you for all your lessons, advice, guidance, mentorship, love and friendship. And thank you for everything you did for Scotland.
‘For many years you were the father of the nation and for several years you’ve been a father like figure to me. Our dream will live forever.’
Salmond led the Scottish Nationalist Party between 1990 and 2000, and then again between 2004 and 2014. In this time he led the country’s fight for nationalism with the ‘Yes Scotland’ campaign.
He resigned after the ‘Yes Scotland’ campaign was defeated, forming the Alba party in 2021.
In a statement, leader of Scottish Labour Anas Sarwar paid tribute to his former political opponent, calling him ‘a towering figure’.
He said: ‘The sad news of Alex Salmond’s passing today will come as a shock to all who knew him in Scotland, across the UK and beyond.
‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time and on behalf of Scottish Labour I offer our sincere condolences to all who will be mourning his loss.
‘Alex was a central figure in politics for over three decades and his contribution to the Scottish political landscape can not be overstated.
‘It is right that we recognise Alex’s service to our country as First Minister and to the communities he represented as both MP and MSP. A towering figure.’
Salmond, the first SNP politician to serve as First Minister, was elected in 2007 on a minority government before winning the only Holyrood majority in 2011.
Over the course of his career he took the SNP from the fringes of Scottish politics in the 1980s to the most dominant party in the country.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney also shared his condolences, paying tribute to Salmond for having ‘worked tirelessly and fought fearlessly for the country that he loved’.
He said: ‘I am deeply shocked and saddened at the untimely death of the former First Minister Alex Salmond and I extend my deepest condolences to Alex’s wife Moira and to his family.
‘Alex worked tirelessly and fought fearlessly for the country that he loved and for her Independence. He took the Scottish National Party from the fringes of Scottish politics into Government and led Scotland so close to becoming an Independent country.
‘There will be much more opportunity to reflect in the coming days, but today all of our thoughts are with Alex’s family, and his many friends and right across the political spectrum.’
And former First Minister Humza Yousaf added: ‘Alex and I obviously had our differences in the last few years, but there’s no doubt about the enormous contribution he made to Scottish & UK politics.
‘As well as helping to transform the SNP into the dominant political force it is today. My condolences to his family and friends.’
His former university also paid tribute. A statement posted by the University of St Andrews said: ‘Our sympathies are with the family of Alex Salmond tonight, a huge figure in Scottish and UK public life and always a proud @univstandrews alumnus, pictured here (left) with Winnie Ewing (centre) in 1977 in St Andrews.’
Salmond led the Scottish Nationalist Party between 1990 and 2000, and then again between 2004 and 2014. Pictured: With wife Moira in 2020
Former leader of the Scottish Conservatives Douglas Ross added: ‘While we had opposing political views, he was a towering figure in Scottish politics which he dominated for many years.
‘My thoughts are with Moira and his family and friends at this difficult time.’
While another former leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson described him as a ‘larger than life figure’.
She wrote: ‘Shocked to hear of Alex Salmond’s sudden death. Even after office, he was a larger than life figure.
‘My sincere sympathies go to Moira and the wider family. We disagreed on almost everything, but I always respected his intellect and political nous.’
They have been followed by an emotional outpouring of grief for the former SNP leader, with Perth and Kinross-shire MP saying he ‘can’t believe that Alex will no longer be with us’, while SNP MSP for Aberdeenshire East Gillian Martin added that he was ‘an ever present figure in Scottish politics who made a huge difference.’
Deputy Leader of Reform UK, Richard Tice said he was ‘shocked and saddened’ saying Mr Salmond had ‘become a much respected friend in recent years’.
He posted: ‘A titan of Scottish politics, he had a huge personality and charisma, as well as being a brilliant orator. Deepest condolences to his family and friends’.
Former MP Joanna Cherry KC wrote: ‘I am devastated to hear that Alex Salmond has died. He was one of the most talented politicians of his generation, and, by any measure, the finest First Minister our country has had. He changed the face of Scottish politics.
‘Sadly, he was ill used by some of his former comrades, and I am sorry that he has not lived to see his vindication. I shall remember him as an inspiration and a loyal friend. My heartfelt condolences go to Moira, his family, and all who loved him.’
Tory MP Tom Tugendhat posted: ‘Alex Salmond was a towering figure who shaped our politics for a generation. He will not be forgotten. My condolences to his family and friends.’
Baroness Laing of Elderslie wrote: ‘This is shocking news about Alex Salmond. Although I profoundly disagreed with his nationalist principles, on a personal level I counted him as a friend. He was a brilliant orator, a clever politician and very good company. We will all miss him enormously.’
Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage wrote: ‘Alex Salmond was a very engaging figure who could talk to anyone. He made Scottish nationalism a force.’
Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond was born in Linlithgow on Hogmanay in 1954, the second of four children to Robert Fyfe Findlay Salmond and Mary Stewart Salmond.
His parents were civil servants, and have been described as ‘small n’ nationalists: people who were proud of Scotland, its history and traditions, but did not necessarily support independence.
Former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond and Scotland fans are pictured in Munich as Scotland got ready to compete in the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship, in June
ALBA Party leader Alex Salmond launching the ALBA Lothian campaign for the Scottish Parliamentary election in April
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond with Yes Scotland’s chairman, Dennis Canavan on the Vote Yes campaign trail in Stirling in 2014
As a schoolboy he stood for classroom election – campaigning to replace the school milk with ice cream.
He also realised he had a knack for public performance when he became a boy soprano.
In 2011 he told Desert Island Discs he ‘never suffered nerves as a boy’ and said: ‘If you can sing in front of thousands of people when you’re ten or 11 then being Scottish First Minister is nothing in comparison.’
After school Salmond studied a joint degree in economics and history at the University of St Andrews.
At university in 1973 he had a row with his English girlfriend who was the secretary of the St Andrews University Labour Club over the party’s commitment to Scotland.
She reportedly told him: ‘If you feel like that, go and join the bloody SNP.’
Salmond quickly did.
After graduation he followed his parents into the civil service and became an assistant economist in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland in 1978.
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond campaigns for a Yes vote in east Edinburgh, Scotland, 10 September 2014
Scotland’s former First Minister Alex Salmond attends the launch of ALBA’s national campaign, in Ellon, Scotland in 2021
Alex Salmond First Minister of Scotland takes part in a live television debate by the BBC in the Kelvingrove Art Galleries in Glasgow in 2014
In 1980, he began his seven-year career with the Royal Bank of Scotland as an assistant economist before being appointed oil economist in 1982 and royal bank economist in 1985.
While there his boss was Moira McGlashan who was from a traditionally conservative background. Although she was 17 years his senior at 43, the couple were married in 1981.
A few years after joining the SNP he played a prominent role in the breakaway ’79 Group which took a republican left-wing stance and criticised the SNP leadership.
The move earned Salmond a brief expulsion from the party in 1982, something he later put down to being a ‘brash young man’.
Despite this the rising star won the Westminster seat of Banff and Buchan in 1987.
He quickly made a name for himself after getting banned from the Commons chamber for a week after interrupting the Chancellor’s Budget speech to protest against the poll tax.
Within just three years, he became the SNP’s leader, defeating the favourite Margaret Ewing.
Throughout the 1990s Salmond’s leadership transformed the SNP into a modern, social democratic party with a Scottish nationalistic flavour.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond arrives with his wife Moira at the Piper Alpha disaster 20th anniversary memorial service at the Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting, in Aberdeen, 2008
r Alex Salmond and Scottish actor Alan Cumming applaud during the launch of the ‘YES’ campaign for Scottish independence in Edinburgh, 2012
He eventually stood down in 2000 after a series of fall-outs with other party leaders, but took charge again in 2004 with the relatively unknown Nicola Sturgeon as his deputy.
The SNP narrowly won the 2007 Holyrood election and formed a minority government.
During his years as First Minister Salmond became a powerful force throughout Scotland and a household name across the UK.
He was also pragmatic, building close relationships with leaders of big business such as Stagecoach boss Brian Souter, golf developer Donald Trump and media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson described him as ‘the canniest political operator in these isles’.
But his political demeanor was sometimes arrogant and combative, which some analysts believe was the reason for his poor polling among female voters.
Throughout his premiership he would do little detailed policy work and was attacked by his opponents for being ‘presidential’.
However Salmond remained popular and was able to connect with the electorate through a fatherly charm and charisma on the campaign trail.
Alex Salmond First Minister of Scotland and Alistair Darling chairman of Better Together take part in a live television debate by the BBC in 2014
Outside of politics Salmond enjoyed horse racing, and would even offer his punditry to TV shows and newspapers occasionally.
He was also a keen golfer, telling Desert Island Discs his luxury item would be a sand wedge and endless golf balls.
His football team was the Edinburgh-based Heart of Midlothian FC, and he was a keen reader and admirer of the works of Scottish national poet Robert Burns.
Salmond was known for loving a drink – especially wine and spirits – and eating curries. He had a selection of favourite restaurants and hotels throughout Scotland and was renowned for being a fun dinner guest.
Throughout Salmond’s time as First Minister his protégé Sturgeon praised his political example.
The pair’s relationship irreversibly broke down in 2018 when he faced 13 charges including attempted rape and a series of sexual assaults, including one with intent to rape.
He was cleared of all charges by a jury following an 11-day trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
The SNP later apologised for appointing an investigating officer who had “prior involvement” in his case after he took successful legal action.
In March 2021 Salmond launched the Alba Party, which recruited a number of disaffected SNP politicians and activists to its ranks.
The party has failed so far to elect a candidate to office and has remained on the fringes.
