The Scottish Parliament has opened a book of condolences for members of the public to sign in the Main Hall following the sudden death of former First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond. Members of the public have also been asking if an online book of condolences could be opened for those who cannot get to Edinburgh but who would like to pay their respects to the late First Minister.

Orkney SNP member John Mowat has sent The Orkney News his personal remembrances of Alex Salmond.

Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond 31 December 1954 – 12 October 2024

Alex Salmond was born in Linlithgow, a historic town in West Lothian in 1954.

Following primary & secondary schooling, in Linlithgow, he attended St Andrews University, studying economics. After a short spell as a civil servant with The Department of Agriculture & Fisheries from 1978 to 1980, he joined the Royal Bank of Scotland as an Oil Economist 1980 to 1987.

Alex came to be noticed by the SNP Branches in Banff & Buchan & in 1987 was invited to stand as the SNP Candidate. Against the odds, Alex Salmond was elected as SNP MP for Banff & Buchan, one of 3 SNP MPs elected. There were  50  Labour, 10 Tory & 9 LibDems, elected from Scottish Constituencies. He remained MP for Banff & Buchan from 1987 to 2010

Alex quickly got noticed, having been able to argue against Tory economic decisions made at the Budget. As an economist, he spoke with knowledge & a firm grasp of issues. Alex was one of the most articulate MPs at Westminster, striking up friendships with a number of MPs from other Parties.

Alex was elected SNP Leader in September 1990, holding this position until 2000.

Throughout Scotland, in the 1980s & 1990s, the SNP moved from the fringes, adopting a left of Centre, Social Democratic position, firmly anchored in the middle ground.

Alex led the SNP, alongside Jim Wallace of the LibDems and Donald Dewar of Labour, in the lead up to the 1997 successful Scottish Parliament Referendum. The Scottish Parliament was reconvened in 1999.

I had the privilege of being Vice Chairman of the local Orkney Campaign, working closely with Chairman Jim Wallace. Jim was away, during the week, mostly in Edinburgh, as part of the National Media Campaign, giving huge responsibilities to the local leadership. Joint Labour, LibDem & SNP Meetings, media events and planning sessions took place over busy weekends.

The Referendum campaign helped progress SNP support, locally from 4th to 2nd place, in the period between 1997 and 2010. I was the SNP Candidate, locally, 3 times for the Scottish Parliament Elections and 3 times for Westminster Elections, from 1997 to 2010, while holding down a demanding job in Education & Teaching.

Alex Salmond again served as SNP Leader, from 2004 until 2014.

Leading a mainstream Political Party is demanding, basically being a 7 day per week, 52 weeks of the year job.

Alex Salmond was undoubtedly the outstanding Scottish Politician of the age.

He had a profound impact on Scotland from 1987 until his passing.

The Independence Campaign wanted to “Put Scotland’s Future in Scotland’s Hands”. It came very close to succeeding.

Many people voted No, assured that a “No” guaranteed continued EU Membership. This claim proved to be without substance, being turned on its head, during the much more divisive European Referendum of 2016.

Sadly the Boris Johnson / Nigel Farage / Michael Gove “Leave the EU” Campaign, was all based on lies, misinformation and allegedly strongly backed by Russian money.

Alex Salmond, was one of the most able, articulate [politicians on the pro EU side. Subsequent Hard Brexit damage to the British Economy, since 2016 has proved this view to be correct.

At Westminster, Alex Salmond struck up strong cross party friendships with unlikely MPs such as Tories David Davies and Commons former Speaker, John Bercow. He also struck up close friendships with leading Northern Irish politicians, during and after the Peace Process.

It was typical of Alex Salmond, that he travelled to Ohrid, North Macedonia, attending a Cultural Diplomacy 3 day Conference, where he died suddenly, last weekend.

Tributes have poured in from King Charles III and many friends and colleagues from all sides of the political divide.

Alex Salmond was not perfect, but then again, nobody is. He was a brilliant debater, a hard taskmaster and a brilliant economist. He lived, ate and slept Politics.

On a personal level, I think it was a mistake for him to have resigned as SNP Leader, immediately after the unsuccessful 2014 Referendum, lost by 55 % to 45 %. It is a good idea to reflect on major events and not to take sudden decisions, immediately afterwards, however painful he had found the result.

Although Alex returned to Westminster as MP for Gordon from 2015 to 2017, to some degree he lacked a major role in the SNP and in Politics.

As Joanna Cherry, QC, a former MP and SNP colleague restated, recently,  Alex Salmond was found Not Guilty of all charges at a high profile trial in 2020.

In effect, the nature of sexual charges proved to be groundless. Perhaps the case should never have reached the Courts.        He was guilty of nothing more than the use of inappropriate language. I guess most people have been there at times, during their lives.

Alex Salmond was by far the Outstanding First Minister of Scotland in the period 1997 to 2024. He led a highly competent Scottish Government which Labour, LibDems and subsequent SNP led Governments  have not matched.

Alex Salmond had the ability to work across Party Loyalties to get things done. His firm knowledge of economics and a sharp intellect, greatly helped.

He transformed the SNP, Scottish Politics while also developing a positive reputation in Europe and beyond.

“We may not see his likes again”.

A man of many parts, he set a high bar on which future Scottish First Ministers will be judged.