Alex Salmond, the former First Minister of Scotland and a vocal supporter of Scottish independence, passed away abruptly at the age of 69. His death occurred while he was participating in a conference in the Republic of North Macedonia, where he collapsed and was declared dead.
Salmond was attending a lunch at the Inex Olgica Hotel near Ohrid on Saturday, October 12, 2024, where he was in conversation with international diplomats. He reportedly suffered a potential heart attack, and despite attempts to resuscitate him, he was declared dead at the scene around 3:30 p.m. The Alba Party, which was led by Salmond, confirmed his death and expressed their profound grief.
Salmond, born in Linlithgow, 1954, first joined the Scottish National Party (SNP) in 1973. He ascended through the party ranks and served as First Minister from 2007 to 2014. Salmond played a crucial role in the 2014 independence referendum, advocating for Scotland’s separation from the United Kingdom. Although the campaign was vigorously contested, 55% of Scottish voters chose to stay in the UK, prompting Salmond to step down as First Minister.
Salmond’s contributions have been recognized by political figures from all political backgrounds. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer referred to him as a “monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics.” King Charles also offered his condolences, stating, “His devotion to Scotland drove his decades of public service.”
Under Salmond’s leadership, policies such as free university education for Scottish students and free NHS prescriptions were introduced, reflecting his commitment to the welfare of his constituents.
However, his political tenure wasn’t devoid of controversy. In 2018, Salmond was hit with allegations of sexual misconduct, which led to his departure from the SNP. He was acquitted of all charges after a highly publicized trial in 2020, during which Salmond characterized the charges as “fabrications or exaggerations” made for “political purposes.”
In 2021, Salmond launched the Alba Party, continuing his support for Scottish independence. Until his last days, Salmond was actively involved in political discussions. He had criticized the cooperation between the EU and UK government during the 2014 referendum, implying that their combined efforts played a part in Scotland deciding to remain within the UK.
With the passing of Salmond, Scotland has lost a significant political figure whose impact resonates throughout modern Scottish politics. His body was returned to Scotland for a ceremonial farewell. Salmond’s legacy is a testament to his unwavering dedication to Scottish independence.