This is the photo that is believed to be the last taken of Alex Salmond, before the former First Minister collapsed and died aged 69.
The pro-independence political leader can be seen at the centre of a crowd of dignitaries after speaking on a panel at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Forum in the lake-resort town of Ohrid, North Macedonia, on Friday morning.
He smiles cheerfully stands in the center of the image alongside his Alba Party chair Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, who is wearing a tartan dress.
The panel, which took place on Friday morning, was called ‘Young Leaders for International Cooperation, Cultural Understanding & Peace’.
The pro-independence political leader passed away, reportedly from a suspected heart attack in a crowded room, after giving a speech in North Macedonia.
Salmond led the Scottish Nationalist Party between 1990 and 2000, and then again between 2004 and 2014. In this time he led the country’s fight for nationalism with the ‘Yes Scotland’ campaign.
He later split with the SNP to form the Alba Party following allegations of sexual harassment. He was cleared of 13 charges, including one of attempted rape, and later took successful legal action against his former party.
The politician posted on social media just three hours before the news was broken, characteristically lauding independence as he urged the First Minister John Swinney to think ‘independently, not subserviently’.
Salmond’s final words in the message were: ‘Scotland is a country not a county.’
Sir Keir Starmer lead tributes to the political titan, calling him a ‘monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics’ who ‘leaves behind a lasting legacy’.
Alex Salmond can be seen smiling cheerfully in the center of what is believed to be his last photo alongside his Alba Party chair Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, who is wearing a tartan dress
The pro-independence political leader can be seen in a crowd of dignitaries after speaking on a panel at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Forum in Ohrid, North Macedonia, on Friday morning
Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has died aged 69. Pictured: On the last day of campaigning for the UK General Election in July
Former MSP Alex Salmond kicks off ALBA Lothian campaign with ALBA Lothian Candidates in Edinburgh
The Alba Party leader reportedly passed away after giving a speech in North Macedonia. Pictured: In September 2024
Salmond led the Scottish Nationalist Party between 1990 and 2000, and then again between 2004 and 2014. Pictured: With wife Moira in 2020
The Prime Minister said: ‘For more than 30 years, Alex Salmond was a monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics. He leaves behind a lasting legacy.
‘As First Minister of Scotland he cared deeply about Scotland’s heritage, history and culture, as well as the communities he represented as MP and MSP over many years of service.
‘My thoughts are with those who knew him, his family and his loved ones. On behalf of the UK government, I offer them our condolences today.’
Nicola Sturgeon, who was mentored as Salmond’s deputy between 2007 and 2014, said he was an ‘incredibly significant figure in my life’.
The pair’s relationship broke down irreconcilably as he faced allegations of sexual impropriety in 2018.
In an interview last month he said that he ‘seriously doubted’ he would ever talk to his successor again.
The former first minister said: ‘Obviously, I cannot pretend that the events of the past few years which led to the breakdown of our relationship did not happen, and it would not be right for me to try.
Scottish Secretray, Michael Moore and Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond welcomes Prime Minister David Cameron to St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh prior to signing a referendum agreement in 2012
Then SNP deputy Convenor John Swinney, vice Convenor Nicola Sturgeon, Leader Alex Salmond and Chief Executive Mike Russell sit down outside the Holiday Inn hotel in Edinburgh in 1999
Alex Salmond arrives with Deputy Scottish National Party Leader Nicola Sturgeon to deliver his victory speech at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh on May 6, 2011
Alex Salmond during a debate following the Government’s defeat on their fishing policy in 1995
Queen Elizabeth II meets Scottish First Minister, Alex Salmond at Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh in 2007
‘However, it remains the fact that for many years Alex was an incredibly significant figure in my life. He was my mentor, and for more than a decade we formed one of the most successful partnerships in UK politics.
‘Alex modernised the SNP and led us into government for the first time, becoming Scotland’s fourth First Minister and paving the way for the 2014 referendum which took Scotland to the brink of independence.
‘He will be remembered for all of that. My thoughts are with Moira, his wider family and his friends.’
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak added that the late politician was a ‘huge figure in our politics’.
He said: ‘Alex Salmond was a huge figure in our politics. While I disagreed with him on the constitutional question, there was no denying his skill in debate or his passion for politics. May he rest in peace.’
Kenny MacAskill, Alba Party deputy leader, said that Alex Salmond ‘was the outstanding Scottish politician not just of his generation but for generations far before. Recognised at home and respected abroad’.
He added: ‘He was not just a master political tactician but strategist. Yet also a politician who was a superb debater and orator. But one who equally possessed extraordinary charm and a common touch which endeared him to so many in Scotland.
‘His record speaks for itself in moulding the modern SNP, forming the first independence administration and delivering both an unprecedented Holyrood majority and a referendum on independence. His legacy lives on and has benefited Scotland immensely with infrastructure and other social and economic gains testifying to that.
‘The actions of individuals and later administrations undoubtedly took their toll upon him. Courts will still rightly decide upon the actions of individuals whose behaviour towards him was deplorable and shameful.
Alex Salmond launches the Yes campaign from a cinema in Edinburgh in 2012
Alex Salmond, then First Minister of Scotland, and Alistair Darling, then chairman of Better Together take part in a live television debate by the BBC in 2014 in Glasgow
Former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond and Scotland fans are pictured in Munich as Scotland got ready to compete in the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship, in June
Alex Salmond at a news conference following SNP victory in the General Election of 1997
‘But he had yet again risen to the challenges he had faced. Forging a media career and establishing the Alba Party, laying the groundwork for ensuring independence remained on the agenda and that a route to achieve it could once again be found.
‘The party grieves the loss of their founder and leader. Our thoughts are with Moira and his family.
‘But the dream he cherished so closely and came so close to delivering will never die.’
Scottish First Minister John Swinney also shared his condolences, paying tribute to Salmond for having ‘worked tirelessly and fought fearlessly for the country that he loved’.
He said: ‘I am deeply shocked and saddened at the untimely death of the former First Minister Alex Salmond and I extend my deepest condolences to Alex’s wife Moira and to his family.
‘Alex worked tirelessly and fought fearlessly for the country that he loved and for her Independence. He took the Scottish National Party from the fringes of Scottish politics into Government and led Scotland so close to becoming an Independent country.
‘There will be much more opportunity to reflect in the coming days, but today all of our thoughts are with Alex’s family, and his many friends and right across the political spectrum.’
The politician was a prominent figure in the country’s fight for nationalism, and lead the referendum on Scottish independence in 2014.
He resigned after the ‘Yes Scotland’ campaign was defeated, forming the Alba party in 2021.
Salmond, the first SNP politician to serve as First Minister, was elected in 2007 on a minority government before winning the only Holyrood majority in 2011.
Over the course of his career he took the SNP from the fringes of Scottish politics in the 1980s to the most dominant party in the country.
Paying tribute to their former leader today, the party said: ‘His leadership brought the SNP into the mainstream and the Scottish Government. He was a titan of the independence movement. Our thoughts are with Moira and his family.’
Actor and director Alan Cumming, a vocal supporter of Salmond’s independence campaign, reposted the announcement of his death by the SNP.
In a statement, leader of Scottish Labour Anas Sarwar spoke about his former political opponent, calling him ‘a towering figure’.
Scotland’s First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Alex Salmond arrives with his wife Moira Salmond to a Scottish Parliament election count in 2011
Alex Salmond, Scottish National Party Leader and Scotland’s First Minister leaves Prestonfield House following his victory speech in 2011
Member of Parliament and former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond speaks to journalists in central London in 2016
He said: ‘The sad news of Alex Salmond’s passing today will come as a shock to all who knew him in Scotland, across the UK and beyond.
‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time and on behalf of Scottish Labour I offer our sincere condolences to all who will be mourning his loss.
‘Alex was a central figure in politics for over three decades and his contribution to the Scottish political landscape can not be overstated.
‘It is right that we recognise Alex’s service to our country as First Minister and to the communities he represented as both MP and MSP. A towering figure.’
Former First Minister Humza Yousaf added: ‘Alex and I obviously had our differences in the last few years, but there’s no doubt about the enormous contribution he made to Scottish & UK politics.
‘As well as helping to transform the SNP into the dominant political force it is today. My condolences to his family and friends.’
Former leader of the Scottish Conservatives Douglas Ross continued: ‘While we had opposing political views, he was a towering figure in Scottish politics which he dominated for many years.
Alex Salmond speaks to the media on College Green, Westminster, London in 2022
of Alex Salmond holds up a biscuit during a visit to Borders Biscuits in Lanark, whilst on the Scottish election campaign trail in 2011
Leader of the Alba Party, Alex Salmond, looks on during the launch of the Glasgow campaign for the Scottish Parliamentary election, in Glasgow, 2021
Alex Salmond beside an ad van during a visit to Falkirk, on the campaign trail in local government election in 2022
‘My thoughts are with Moira and his family and friends at this difficult time.’
Former leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson added that while they ‘disagreed on almost everything… I always respected his intellect and political nous.’
They have been followed by an emotional outpouring of grief for the former SNP leader, with Perth and Kinross-shire MP saying he ‘can’t believe that Alex will no longer be with us’, while SNP MSP for Aberdeenshire East Gillian Martin added that he was ‘an ever present figure in Scottish politics who made a huge difference.’
Ash Regan, Edinburgh Eastern MSP and Alba leader at Holyrood, posted on X: ‘A tour de force in politics, who took us close to independence. Alex had the nation believe in itself. My thoughts to his family, friends and all those who he inspired to dream.’
Former president of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson called him a ‘rare visionary and campaigner who brought the independence of Scotland.’
Alba general secretary Chris McEleny shared his tribute to Salmond, writing: ‘Thank you for all your lessons, advice, guidance, mentorship, love and friendship. And thank you for everything you did for Scotland.
‘For many years you were the father of the nation and for several years you’ve been a father like figure to me. Our dream will live forever.’
Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond was born in Linlithgow on Hogmanay in 1954, the second of four children to Robert Fyfe Findlay Salmond and Mary Stewart Salmond.
His parents were civil servants, and have been described as ‘small n’ nationalists: people who were proud of Scotland, its history and traditions, but did not necessarily support independence.
ALBA Party leader Alex Salmond launching the ALBA Lothian campaign for the Scottish Parliamentary election in April
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond with Yes Scotland’s chairman, Dennis Canavan on the Vote Yes campaign trail in Stirling in 2014
As a schoolboy he stood for classroom election – campaigning to replace the school milk with ice cream.
He also realised he had a knack for public performance when he became a boy soprano.
In 2011 he told Desert Island Discs he ‘never suffered nerves as a boy’ and said: ‘If you can sing in front of thousands of people when you’re ten or 11 then being Scottish First Minister is nothing in comparison.’
After school Salmond studied a joint degree in economics and history at the University of St Andrews.
At university in 1973 he had a row with his English girlfriend who was the secretary of the St Andrews University Labour Club over the party’s commitment to Scotland.
She reportedly told him: ‘If you feel like that, go and join the bloody SNP.’
Salmond quickly did.
After graduation he followed his parents into the civil service and became an assistant economist in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland in 1978.
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond campaigns for a Yes vote in east Edinburgh, Scotland, 10 September 2014
Scotland’s former First Minister Alex Salmond attends the launch of ALBA’s national campaign, in Ellon, Scotland in 2021
Alex Salmond First Minister of Scotland takes part in a live television debate by the BBC in the Kelvingrove Art Galleries in Glasgow in 2014
In 1980, he began his seven-year career with the Royal Bank of Scotland as an assistant economist before being appointed oil economist in 1982 and royal bank economist in 1985.
While there his boss was Moira McGlashan who was from a traditionally conservative background. Although she was 17 years his senior at 43, the couple were married in 1981.
A few years after joining the SNP he played a prominent role in the breakaway ’79 Group which took a republican left-wing stance and criticised the SNP leadership.
The move earned Salmond a brief expulsion from the party in 1982, something he later put down to being a ‘brash young man’.
Despite this the rising star won the Westminster seat of Banff and Buchan in 1987.
He quickly made a name for himself after getting banned from the Commons chamber for a week after interrupting the Chancellor’s Budget speech to protest against the poll tax.
Within just three years, he became the SNP’s leader, defeating the favourite Margaret Ewing.
Throughout the 1990s Salmond’s leadership transformed the SNP into a modern, social democratic party with a Scottish nationalistic flavour.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond arrives with his wife Moira at the Piper Alpha disaster 20th anniversary memorial service at the Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting, in Aberdeen, 2008
r Alex Salmond and Scottish actor Alan Cumming applaud during the launch of the ‘YES’ campaign for Scottish independence in Edinburgh, 2012
Alex Salmond at Alex Arthur’s Boxing Gym in Edinburgh during his campaigning for the Scottish Parliamentary election in 2021
He eventually stood down in 2000 after a series of fall-outs with other party leaders, but took charge again in 2004 with the relatively unknown Nicola Sturgeon as his deputy.
The SNP narrowly won the 2007 Holyrood election and formed a minority government.
During his years as First Minister Salmond became a powerful force throughout Scotland and a household name across the UK.
He was also pragmatic, building close relationships with leaders of big business such as Stagecoach boss Brian Souter, golf developer Donald Trump and media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson described him as ‘the canniest political operator in these isles’.
But his political demeanor was sometimes arrogant and combative, which some analysts believe was the reason for his poor polling among female voters.
Throughout his premiership he would do little detailed policy work and was attacked by his opponents for being ‘presidential’.
However Salmond remained popular and was able to connect with the electorate through a fatherly charm and charisma on the campaign trail.
Alex Salmond First Minister of Scotland and Alistair Darling chairman of Better Together take part in a live television debate by the BBC in 2014
Alex Salmond at Alex Arthur’s Boxing Gym in Edinburgh during his campaigning for the Scottish Parliamentary election in 2015
Alex Salmond takes some tennis shots during a tour of Stirling University’s new sports facilities in 2007
Outside of politics Salmond enjoyed horse racing, and would even offer his punditry to TV shows and newspapers occasionally.
He was also a keen golfer, telling Desert Island Discs his luxury item would be a sand wedge and endless golf balls.
His football team was the Edinburgh-based Heart of Midlothian FC, and he was a keen reader and admirer of the works of Scottish national poet Robert Burns.
Salmond was known for loving a drink – especially wine and spirits – and eating curries. He had a selection of favourite restaurants and hotels throughout Scotland and was renowned for being a fun dinner guest.
Throughout Salmond’s time as First Minister his protégé Sturgeon praised his political example.
The pair’s relationship irreversibly broke down in 2018 when he faced 13 charges including attempted rape and a series of sexual assaults, including one with intent to rape.
He was cleared of all charges by a jury following an 11-day trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
The SNP later apologised for appointing an investigating officer who had ‘prior involvement’ in his case after he took successful legal action.
In March 2021 Salmond launched the Alba Party, which recruited a number of disaffected SNP politicians and activists to its ranks.
The party has failed so far to elect a candidate to office and has remained on the fringes.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
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