Scotland is diverse but not divided, says Alex Salmond in his final speech in Holyrood.

Speaking on Wednesday during a debate on the Scotland Bill at Holyrood the former First Minister delivered his final speech as a member of the Scottish Parliament. He argued that the referendum has left Scotland not divided but it showed Scotland as a nation with a diversity of opinion.

Salmond said: “In my very first speech to this Chamber I refuted the idea that we were a divided parliament representing a divided country. I suggested that we were not divided but diverse.

"Now we have all experienced an extraordinary referendum campaign, one which was hard fought certainly but one which produced a level of democratic participation and engagement that most societies can only dream of. Yes – we are country of different views but we are not divided.”

The former SNP leader was one of the inaugural 129 members of the Scottish Parliament in 1999. He paid tribute to members who had died since that time including Scotland’s first First Minister Donald Dewar.

Salmond also used his final speech to welcome the new powers and to comment on the devolution process. He added: “The legislative consent motion before us clearly does not pave the way for near federalism, or ‘devo to the max’ or home rule - all things raised in the last days of the referendum.

“However, it does represent a further transfer of power from London to Scotland. That much should be welcomed."

While he welcomed the powers the former First Minister was keen to reiterate his support for independence calling devolution a “journey” and his hopes that one day the parliament will remove “weapons of mass destruction from Scotland”.

Before brining his remarks to a close Salmond described his thoughts on the importance of Holyrood.

Salmond said:"Let me leave you with these final thoughts.

"There is no greater honour in public life than to be a member of this Parliament. There is no greater task than to mould the public purpose of Scotland. There no greater cause to serve than that of the people of this country."

Salmond served two periods as a member of the Scottish Parliament between 1999-2001 and from 2007 until he steps down at May's Holyrood election. He will continue to be an MP at Westminster.