Jeff J Mitchell / Staff via Getty ImagesFamily, friends and figures from across the political spectrum gathered in Edinburgh for former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond’s memorial service on Saturday.
Former prime minister Gordon Brown, actor and comedian Elaine C Smith and First Minister John Swinney were among those at St Giles’ Cathedral.
Salmond, a pivotal figure in Scottish politics for several decades, died aged 69 on October 12 in North Macedonia after having a heart attack.
The service featured music from the Proclaimers, the rock duo from Leith, and singers Dougie MacLean and Sheena Wellington.
A number of Salmond’s friends and political allies gave readings at the service, officiated by Reverend Dr George J Whyte.
Tributes were delivered by Kenny MacAskill – a longtime ally of Salmond who joined the Alba Party – as well as the former first minister’s lawyer Duncan Hamilton KC.
SNP MSP Fergus Ewing read from The Wild Geese by Violet Jacob.
Conservative MP Sir David Davis, who shared a friendship with Salmond despite a political divide, read from John 14.
The Proclaimers performed their pro-independence song Cap In Hand.
STV NewsMr Swinney arrived at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, where crowds were gathered with Scottish flags, ahead of the service remembering the former first minister and SNP leader on Saturday morning.
Scotland’s First Minister was met with boos when he arrived at the memorial of Alex Salmond.
John Swinney, a long-time ally of Mr Salmond who served as his finance secretary, arrived at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on Saturday with his wife Elizabeth.
STV NewsAt least one person in the crowd outside on the Royal Mile shouted that Mr Swinney was a “traitor”.
In the later years of Mr Salmond’s life, the relationship with the hierarchy of the SNP he once lead soured over allegations of sexual misconduct during his time in office.
He was cleared after a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in 2020.
He stood for the Alba Party at the 2021 Holyrood election after a rift between himself and successor Nicola Sturgeon saw him leave the SNP for good.
STV NewsRev Dr George Whyte paid tribute to Alex Salmond’s contribution to public service and life “which challenged the the status quo” at the former Scottish first minister’s funeral.
Speaking to mourners gathered at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, he said: “On this 30th of November, with the Saltires hung on the pillars, we gather not to beatify a saint but to remember a human being.
“Some come to remember a loved one, and rightly you have the place of honour, your sudden loss is the sharpest and we who stand round you can do no more than offer our condolences and our prayers.
“Some of you come as friends, you knew the man behind the public image, and the political fray. You too are coming to terms with a parting as quick as it was unexpected.
STV News“Many are here to remember the public service and contribution to the common life which Alex Salmond made. From fishing community, to farm to front bench, from campaign trail to committee room, from strategic discussions to local surgeries, from Holyrood to Westminster, you have brought to this ancient setting the interwoven strands of a life which changed all our lives, a life which challenged the status quo.
“He called people to a cause in which he believed and for which he would endure the slings and the arrows.”
Conservative MP Sir David Davis gave a Bible reading at the memorial service for Alex Salmond in Edinburgh.
The former government minister and MP for Goole and Pocklington read from John 14, including the words: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
STV NewsKenny MacAskill, the acting leader of the Alba Party told the memorial service that Alex Salmond “restored pride” in Scotland.
Delivering an address at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, Mr MacAskill read out an email he had received from a man which described the former first minister as being “the energy to deliver the change Scotland so badly needs”.
Mr MacAskill said: “That man was right. Alex Salmond made our people walk tall and he restored pride in our land, devising a strategy and moulding a movement he embarked on a journey.
“Running the first-ever independence-supporting government, which, through credibility, capability and competence, won an unprecedented and previously perceived impossible overall majority in 2011.”
Mr MacAskill later said those who share Mr Salmond’s dream “must conclude that journey on his behalf”.
“When we leave this memorial, we do so not with our heads hung low but with our heads held high.
“A tear in an eye, but fire in our soul; cherishing his memory, revering his achievements, seeking justice for his name and pledge to deliver his dream.”
Alex Salmond “dared to dream, and so should we”, his former lawyer and adviser Duncan Hamilton KC said at the former SNP and Alba parties leader’s funeral.
The media and defamation lawyer told mourners at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh the former first minister was a “pivotal figure” for the role he had played in Scotland’s politics.
“Alex Salmond will forever be a pivotal figure in Scotland’s story,” he said.
“He changed a nation, he inspired a country and he enshrined the ultimate sovereignty of the people of Scotland to choose their own constitutional future.
“History will certainly remember him as a man of talent, charisma and substance, but also as a political leader of courage, vision and intelligence.
“He dared to dream, and so should we.”
Scottish band The Proclaimers performed their song Cap In Hand at the memorial service for former first minister Alex Salmond in Edinburgh.
The pro-independence song features the line: “I can’t understand why we let someone else rule our land, cap in hand.”
Alex Salmond’s family ‘still processing’ sudden death, says niece
Christina Hendry, Salmond’s niece, told STV News: “The family are doing OK. I think we are doing what Uncle Alec would tell us to do and just keeping going.
“There’s obviously been a lot going on, there’s been a lot to plan – first of all getting him home and then the funeral, and then the memorial, so I’m not sure there’s really been time to fully process things and fully grieve.
“But as a family we’re sticking close and keeping going.
“For anybody and any family losing a loved one is really, really hard. It’s been especially difficult because of where he died and because of how high profile he was. I think that’s come with challenges in that there’s no escape and it’s also in the media a lot, I’m not sure that’s actually allowed time to process things ourselves as a family.
“But there’s been some positives from that as well in that there’s been a lot of people messaging, there’s been a lot of people sharing lovely stories – whether they knew him for years or met him once in the street.
“It’s been really nice to reflect back on everything he did, everything he achieved, and the great kind of person that he was.”
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