Tributes paid to former First Minister Alex Salmond, "one of Linlithgow’s best known sons"

Mr Salmond suddenly from a suspected heart attack while attending a conference in Macedonia on Saturday aged 69.

Tributes have been paid to former First Minister Alex Salmond following his sad death at the weekend.

Mr Salmond was born in Linlithgow in 1954 and died suddenly from a suspected heart attack while attending a conference in Macedonia on Saturday aged 69.

The 69-year-old was born in the Royal Burgh on Hogmanay, where he attended school and sang as a soprano in St Michael’s Parish Church.

From there, he went on to study economics and medieval history at the University of St Andrews, where he joined the SNP in 1973.

After his academic studies, the radical young activist set his sights on the end of the United Kingdom and spent his further political career solely working to bring Scotland independence.

Alex Salmond will be remembered as one of the most iconic political figures of his generation.

As leader of the SNP, he brought Scotland closer to independence from the United Kingdom than at any other time in the Union’s 300-year history during the 2014 referendum.

Defeat for the Yes campaign in that vote ended his seven-year tenure as the country’s first minister, during which time he solidified the SNP as the dominant force in Scottish politics. He was divisive amongst the political elite yet able to unite Scotland’s pro-independence base.

He later established the Alba party to continue the cause for independence, leading to several high-profile figures defecting from the SNP under Nicola Sturgeon to join him.

Accusations of sexual assault during his time at Bute House rocked the Scottish political sphere and irreparably damaged his relationship with his former protégé after Salmond was found not guilty.

He remained one of the country’s most visible pro-independence presences

His former SNP colleagues in West Lothian paid tribute to the late Mr Salmond.

MSP Fiona Hyslop said: “Alex Salmond was unique with a drive and determination to achieve Independence for Scotland never dimmed, and against all odds led his Party then to Government and to give us all the chance to say YES to achieve it. Condolences to Moira, his sisters, brother and all the family.”

MSP Angel Constance added: “Like all activists for Independence in West Lothian and beyond I’m shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Alex Salmond - a formidable politician who achieved so much against the odds and changed Scotland for ever - heartfelt condolences to Mrs Salmond and Alex’s family.”

Former SNP MP Hannah Bardell said: “The news of Alex Salmond’s death is both shocking and very sad. As someone who worked for Alex and to whom I owe much of my start in politics, I’m struggling to find the right words. I ran his constituency office for the first three years he was the First Minister of Scotland.

“I learned a huge amount from him and that job. He also convinced me to stand for election when I’d decided not to. Alex was often described as a controversial figure, but no one can deny he made a huge contribution to our politics…

Our nation and the cause of Scottish Independence. Today I’m thinking of his lovely wife Moira whom I got to know well and his family and friends, who will be in deep shock.”

Tributes were also paid from across the political divide.

Labour MP Kirsteen Sullivan said: “I’m shocked to hear of the sudden passing of one of Linlithgow’s best known sons.

“Alex Salmond was a key figure in Scottish politics for over 3 decades, serving communities as both an MP and MSP.

“My thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

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