Alex Salmond: Funeral takes place near former first minister’s family home

A private funeral service has been held for Alex Salmond as the former first minister is laid to rest.

A coffin, draped in a saltire, arrived at Strichen Parish Church, near the former Alba and SNP leader’s Aberdeenshire home, shortly before 12:00.

Salmond died of a heart attack, aged 69, while attending a conference in North Macedonia just over two weeks ago.

The service, attended by family and close friends, was to be followed by a private burial.

Following Salmond’s death, his wife Moira, sisters Margaret and Gail, brother Bob and his nieces and nephews described him as “a devoted and loving husband, a fiercely loyal brother, a proud and thoughtful uncle and a faithful and trusted friend”.

Eulogies at the church service were delivered by acting Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill, former SNP cabinet colleague Fergus Ewing and Salmond’s niece Christina Hendry.

Political figures at the funeral included former SNP MPs Jim Sillars, Joanna Cherry and Eilidh Whiteford, as well as ex-Commons speaker John Bercow, Campbell Gunn, who advised Salmond when he was first minister, and former lord advocate Lord Frank Mulholland.

Alba chairwoman Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh and SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing were also in attendance.

A crowd of about 20 people gathered in the street outside the church as the service was being held.

First Minister John Swinney, who has submitted a motion of condolence to the Scottish Parliament, was not present.

A spokesperson said: “In line with the wishes of Mr Salmond’s family, the funeral is private.

“The thoughts of the first minister and the Scottish government remain with the family and friends of Mr Salmond.”

Salmond led the SNP into power at Holyrood in 2007 and served as Scotland’s first minister until 2014.

He stepped down in the immediate aftermath of that year’s Scottish independence referendum, which the Yes side lost with 45% of the vote.

In the following years Salmond fell out with his protégé and successor, Nicola Sturgeon, over her government’s handling of harassment complaints against him.

In 2020, he was cleared of serious sexual offence charges at a High Court trial in Edinburgh.

The handling of the government’s complaints led to several civil court cases, with Salmond still engaged in one against the government at the time of his death.

After quitting the SNP, Salmond set up the alternative independence-supporting party, Alba.

In his eulogy, MacAskill described Salmond – who was a few years above him at Linlithgow Academy and became a close political ally – as a “giant” and a “political genius”.

MacAskill served as Salmond’s justice secretary and described him as being “demanding but fair”.

He added: “He was also extremely loyal and supportive. When mistakes were made, he would defend vigorously even if harsh words were said in private.”

MacAskill concluded: “The legacy he bequeathed is all around. From roads and bridges to rights such as free prescriptions and no tuition fees.

“That was him. So, farewell my friend – when will we see your like again.”

Ms Hendry said the family has felt “the grief of a nation, and beyond”.

She added: “But for everyone in this room we have felt the loss differently.

“Uncle Alex was an important person to many, but to us he was a husband, a brother, an uncle, a colleague and a dear friend.”

Following the service, Salmond’s former adviser Fergus Mutch led the procession to the burial while playing the bagpipes.

The funeral was conducted by the Reverend Ian McEwan, a family friend who led the funeral for Salmond’s father Robert in 2017.

Ahead of the service, Mr McEwan said he hoped to offer comfort to the family in a “dignified and fitting tribute to his life” that is “shielded from the public gaze”.

Salmond’s body was repatriated to Scotland from North Macedonia on a private flight paid for by Scottish businessman Sir Tom Hunter.

The former first minister had been at a conference held by the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy when he had a heart attack during lunch with other delegates.

John Swinney will lead tributes to Salmond at a motion of condolence in Holyrood on Wednesday, with a public memorial service to be held at a later date.