Alex Salmond death tributes continue to flood in from across Highlands and Moray

Tributes have continued to flood in from politicians in the north from across the political spectrum following the shock death of former First Minister Alex Salmond.

Mr Salmond - who led the SNP twice over a total of more than 20 years, was First Minister from 2007 to 2014, and led the Alba Party from 2021 until his death - passed away in North Macedonia on Saturday at the age of 69.

His sudden passing led to tributes from all corners of political life, in Scotland, the UK and further afield, with the likes of MSP Fergus Ewing making a fulsome tribute last night.

And those tributes have continued to flood in, with remarks from a number of other MSPs based in the Highlands and Islands region.

Kate Forbes, who is the current Deputy First Minister as well as MSP for Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch, said: “It is impossible to process the news of the sudden death of Alex Salmond. The impact he had on Scotland, our party and the independence movement was monumental.

“Like me, many will be in shock tonight, and my thoughts are with Moira, his wider family and his closest friends.

Conservative list MSP for the Highlands and Islands, Jamie Halcro Johnston said: “I am shocked to learn of Alex Salmond’s death.

“He was a significant figure at both Holyrood and at Westminster for decades, and while I agreed with little of his politics, there is no doubting his commitment to the causes and constituents he served, nor of the influence he has had on Scottish political life.

“My thoughts are with Moira, his family, friends and former colleagues. And with the many people from across my Highlands and Islands region who knew Alex and who will feel a sense of loss at his passing."

Former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, who is based in Moray and a list MSP for the Highlands and Islands, added: “Alex Salmond made a huge impact in the North East and across the whole country.

“While we had opposing political views, he was a towering figure in Scottish politics which he dominated for many years.

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

Elsewhere, Moray’s SNP MSP Richard Lochhead paid tribute to his former “mentor and boss”.

He said: “I’m shocked to learn that we have lost Alex Salmond - for so many years my mentor, boss & huge influence in my life. Most importantly he was a giant of Scotland, our story & transformed the SNP and got us closer than ever to independence. My deepest condolences to Moira & family.

Scottish Conservative list MSP TIm Eagle posted: “Shocked to hear of the sudden passing of Alex Salmond. He had a huge impact on Scottish politics and fought passionately for what he believed in.

“My thoughts are with his family, friends and all who knew him.”

Current First Minister, John Swinney, who was Mr Salmond’s deputy during his first period as leader of the SNP and later replaced him as the party leader in 2000, 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.

“Over many years, Alex made an enormous contribution to political life - not just within Scotland but across the UK and beyond.

“Alex worked tirelessly and fought fearlessly for the country that he loved and for her independence."

Figures from other political circles have also commented on Mr Salmond’s passing.

Among those was Alastair Campbell, ex Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair’s former chief advisor, who posted an image on Twitter of him and Alex Salmond meeting in 2014 , adding: “Meeting Alex Salmond in Aberdeen 2014 when he asked me to be part of a transition team to independence.

“That it didn’t happen in his lifetime was not for the lack of his trying and while the later years of his life were marred by scandal and division he was a historic figure RIP.”.

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