A public memorial service for Scotland's former first minister Alex Salmond has been held in Edinburgh on St Andrew's Day
About 500 guests attended the event at St Giles' Cathedral including the country's current First Minister John Swinney and former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown
Close friend and political ally Kenny MacAskill gave a eulogy in which he said "the cause of Scottish independence was burned in his [Alex Salmond] heart and seared on his soul"
The 69-year-old died suddenly last month following a heart attack while attending a conference in North Macedonia
Salmond's niece Christine Hendry spoke of her uncle's "love for Scotland" and in his opening words, Rev Dr George Whyte said: "We gather here not to beatify a saint but to remember a human being."
The 75-minute service featured hymns, songs, poems, prayers, readings and tributes
Alex Salmond remembered at St Giles' memorial
"He was the top man in Scotland, but always made time for his family," continues Christina.
She says he always said he was proud of us, "but we were proud of him every single day".
Christina Hendry reminisces about her uncle's fondness for Hearts, including the time he went to see the Tynccastle club play the night before an exam, a story that raises laughs.
She describes him growing up in a "proudly Scottish" household, and that he had a "wonderful" 43 years of marriage to his wife Moira.
His niece adds that she has many happy memories of seeing him as a child.
Alex Salmond's niece Christina Hendry
Alex Salmond's niece Christina Hendry will now share "Memories of Uncle Alex".
Christina is the younger daughter of his sister Gail Hendry.
She was born in Peterhead and spent her early years in the north east before moving to the Borders where she completed her schooling.
She followed her degree at Stirling University with postgraduate studies at Queen’s University Belfast and Edinburgh University and is now a qualified child psychologist.
At the 2021 Scottish Election Christina stood as a candidate for the Alba Party and she currently Chairs Alba Youth.
Image source, bbcAlasdair Fraser is one of Scotland’s most eminent and prolific traditional fiddlers and composers.
Natalie Haas is a Californian cellist who has recorded five studio albums with Alasdair Fraser over the course of a twenty-year musical collaboration.
Together, Fraser and Haas have restored the cello to its historic place at the heart of traditional Scottish dance music.
Natalie Haas is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and has performed and recorded with some of the world’s most high-profile traditional instrumentalists.
Theme for Scotland appeared on Fraser’s 1996 album Dawn Dance in the run-up to the 1997 Devolution Referendum. Fraser said of the piece, “I wrote this tune as a tribute to the people who have worked hard to establish Scotland as a country where the voice of the individual can be heard.”
The Referendum appeared on Fraser’s 2014 album Abundance and was dedicated to Alex Salmond by the composer.
Sir Walter Scott’s song Jock o Hazeldean was one of Alex Salmond’s favourite party pieces. Scott’s version is based on an older traditional ballad.
We now having a musical iperformance with Theme for Scotland and The Referendum, written and played by Alasdair Fraser (fiddle) accompanied by Natalie Haas (cello).
Sir David Davis was a long-time friend of Alex Salmond
Psalm 121 “Togaidh mi mo shùilean a‑chum nam beann” (Translation) “I lift up mine eyes unto the hills” Read in Gaelic by Josh Robertson, a young activist.
Robertson is an active member of the Alba Party who stood as a candidate in the Scottish Elections of 2021 and at the General Election of 2024 (Airdrie and Shotts)
John 14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled” Read by Rt Hon Sir David Davis MP, first elected alongside Alex in 1987.
Davis entered parliament in 1987, the same year as Alex Salmond. He is a former Chairman of the Conservative Party and held Ministerial office in John Major’s and Theresa May’s governments.
Davis became a good friend of Alex Salmond over the course of their long parliamentary careers.
In 2023, he co-starred in Alex’s show, ‘The Ayes Have It’ at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent
The white roses being worn on some lapels represent the little white rose of Hugh MacDiarmid’s poem. He was one of the founders of the National Party of Scotland which merged with the Scottish Party to create the SNP 90 years ago
‘The rose of all the world is not for me.
I want for my part
Only the little white rose of Scotland
That smells sharp and sweet—and breaks the heart.’
Moira Salmond, second from right
Alex Salmond's widow Moira is surrounded by friends and family in the front row.
She was met outside the cathedral by Rev Dr George Whyte ahead of the memorial service which is due to begin in the next few minutes.
Rev Dr George Whyte OBE KSG
Rev Dr George Whyte OBE KSG is Interim Moderator at St Giles’ Cathedral.
A former Principal Clerk of the Church of Scotland, he has made a notable contribution to ecumenical life in Scotland in recognition of which he was invested as a Papal Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory in 2023.
The ceremony has now begun with the first hymn.
The choir, directed by Michael Harris, will now sing “God Be in My Head” (Henry Walford Davies, 1869 – 1941)
This will be followed by a welcome from Rev Dr George Whyte.
The Introit “God Be In My Head” sung by the St Giles’ Choir is by English composer Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941) and dates from 1910.
Rev Whyte is Interim Moderator at St Giles’ Cathedral.
Members of the Salmond family have drawn up outside the church in two people carriers.
They include nephews and nieces.
They were preceded by Sir George Reid the former Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament.
Moments later, the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar arrived shortly after followed by the Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay.
The former Justice Secretary Kenny Macaskill was cheered by the crowd on his way in.
The Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has also joined the congregation, accompanied by her husband.
As the guests went in the front, Charlie and Craig Reid from The Proclaimers passed behind us to go in the Kirk’s side entrance.
They’ll be performing “Cap in Hand” later.
Gordon Brown sitting next to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar
Gordon Brown has taken his seat in the cathedral.
Brown is a former Prime Minister (2007-2010), Chancellor (1997-2007), Labour MP for Dunfermline East 1983 -2005 and Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath 2005-2015.
He and Alex Salmond were political opponents for decades but joined forces to campaign together for devolution in the 1997 Referendum.
The Scottish Parliament's Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone has arrived, and takes her place beside John Swinney.
She is followed inside by Elaine C Smith.
Actor and entertainer Smith was friends with Salmond over many years. regularly joining him on the campaign trail.
Salmond's constituency staff were regularly taken to see Smith starring in Aberdeen’s Christmas Panto as a festive team night out.
Alison Johnstone beside John Swinney and his wife
Andrew Kerr
BBC Scotland political correspondent outside St Giles' Cathedral
The first minister was greeted with loud shouts of “traitor” by some in the crowd across the road as he arrived with his police escort.
They jeered “boo” as well, as John Swinney stepped out of the car along with his wife, Liz Quigley.
First Minister John Swinney has arrived, alongside his wife Elizabeth.
Swinney served in government with Alex Salmond for many years, and was a key ally when Salmond was the first minister.
Some boos from bystanders could be heard as he walked into the church.
Andrew Kerr
BBC Scotland political correspondent outside St Giles' Cathedral
It’s a cross-party group of people who have been invited to the service.
The Labour peer Lord Foulkes has made his way into St Giles'.
He’s crossed swords with Alex Salmond over the years.
Earlier in the Kirk, I saw the Conservative MP Sir Davies.
He’s an old friend of Mr Salmond from his House of Commons days.
Sir David will give a bible reading from John 14.
The former SNP MP has been joined by other SNP colleagues.
The current MSP Michelle Thomson and the former MP Phillipa Whiford have made their way up the steps.
Duncan Hamilton KC, who was the youngest MSP elected to the new Scottish Parliament in 1999, has also gone in to the building.
He’s been joined by his brother, the information commissioner David Hamilton.
He became an adviser to Mr Salmond and will talk about “a life in politics” during the memorial.
The singer Dougie MacLean, who will sing Caledonia, and has also gone in.
Image source, PA MediaAlex Salmond led his party from the political fringe to power at Holyrood
Alex Salmond was a man and a politician of extreme contradictions.
A one-time radical firebrand, he moved his party from the political margins and perpetual opposition to government and the mainstream of Scottish public life.
He was a gambler and divider of opinions who became a rock-steady first minister with a mission to show voters that he could govern for all, using devolution to prove independence was nothing to be frightened of.
And he was a powerful communicator who would see his reputation diminished amid allegations of sexual misconduct, a criminal trial and exile from the SNP.
His death at the age of 69brought to an end a remarkable life and political career and an important chapter in the story of the independence movement.
Read more of Alex Salmond's obituary here.
Andrew Kerr
BBC Scotland political correspondent, outside St Giles' Cathedral
The guests for the memorial service have started to arrive at St Giles'.
They queued down North Bridge and made their way in to the French Institute to check their invitations.
They then started making their way across the square to the cathedral.
The SNP MSP Annabel Ewing was one.
Earlier, I saw her brother Fergus inside St Giles'.
He’s contributing to the service and was there for the rehearsal.
Lorna Gordon
BBC News Scotland correspondent on the Royal Mile
Joan Main from Edinburgh is among the crowd
Among the first to take her vantage point among the crowds outside the cathedral was Joan Main from Edinburgh.
She said she felt it was important to come and pay her respects to Alex Salmond.
“He was a great man who took us to within a hair’s breadth of getting independence.
“I have great admiration for the man as a politician and also a person.”
Andrew Kerr
BBC Scotland political correspondent
Saltires are fluttering in a light breeze outside St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.
Crowds of Alex Salmond’s supporters have gathered across the road from the old Kirk and have draped their flags across the barriers as they gather for the memorial service to mark his life.
It’s sunny and surprisingly mild in Scotland’s capital.
Around 500 invited guests from across the political spectrum are gathering in the French consulate building in the square opposite St Giles'.
They will soon start making their way over to the church for the start of the service at 11:00.
It’s expected to last 90 minutes.
