Family, friends and figures from across the political spectrum are gathering in Edinburgh for former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond’s memorial service.
Former prime minister Gordon Brown, actor and comedian Elaine C Smith and First Minister John Swinney are among those attending 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 will feature music from the Proclaimers, the rock duo from Leith, and singers Dougie MacLean and Sheena Wellington.
MacLean will sing the Scottish anthem Caledonia, while the Proclaimers perform their pro-independence song Cap In Hand.
A number of Salmond’s friends and political allies will give readings at the service, officiated by Reverend Dr George J Whyte.
Tributes will be 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 will read from The Wild Geese by Violet Jacob.
Conservative MP Sir David Davis, who shared a friendship with Salmond despite a political divide, will read from John 14.
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney has arrived at the memorial service for Alex Salmond.
STV NewsMr Swinney arrived at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, where crowds are 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.
“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.”
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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