Political leaders to pay tribute to Alex Salmond at memorial service

Political leaders volition stitchery connected Saturday to wage tribute to Alex Salmond astatine a nationalist memorial work successful Edinburgh.

The erstwhile archetypal curate died past period successful North Macedonia astatine the property of 69.

First Minister John Swinney, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and Scottish Labour person Anas Sarwar are each expected to be the work astatine St Giles’ Cathedral successful the Scottish capital.

Former premier curate Gordon Brown is besides believed to beryllium attending.

The work volition beryllium conducted by the Reverend George Whyte, with readings and tributes from Mr Salmond’s lifelong person and Alba Party acting person Kenny MacAskill, long-time governmental state Fergus Ewing, and adjacent person and Conservative MP Sir David Davis.

His niece Christina Hendry volition besides wage tribute to the precocious erstwhile archetypal minister.

Musician Dougie MacLean volition sing the Scottish anthem Caledonia, portion the Proclaimers volition besides perform.

A connection from Mr Salmond’s household said: “As we hole to wage tribute to Alex, we privation to convey everyone who has contacted america implicit the past fewer weeks to explicit their condolences. It has meant the satellite to the full family.

“Please beryllium alert that the memorial is astatine capacity. Only guests who are registered tin beryllium permitted entry, and for information purposes photograph ID indispensable beryllium presented.

“For those galore who can’t articulation america successful person, the BBC, Sky News and STV News person an statement to stock resources to screen the memorial.

“The BBC volition watercourse unrecorded sum of the work from 10.30am connected some the BBC News website wrong a unrecorded page, and arsenic a abstracted watercourse connected the BBC iPlayer.”

Mr Salmond took bureau successful 2007, earlier going connected to triumph a bulk successful 2011 and securing the independency referendum 3 years later.

Despite losing the ballot and subsequently quitting arsenic archetypal minister, Mr Salmond continued successful politics, sitting arsenic an SNP MSP betwixt 2015 and 2017, past lasting for the upstart Alba Party astatine the 2021 Holyrood predetermination aft a rift betwixt himself and successor Nicola Sturgeon saw him permission the enactment for good.

Mr Salmond was astatine a league successful North Macedonia erstwhile helium suffered a bosom attack, with his assemblage repatriated with the assistance of businessman Sir Tom Hunter.

He was buried successful a backstage household ceremonial adjacent his location successful Strichen, Aberdeenshire, connected October 29.