Summary

  • 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

Live Reporting

Edited by Paul McLaren

  1. Sturgeon to be absent from Salmond service

    Nicola Sturgeon wearing a red coat over a black blouse and trousersPA

    Nicola Sturgeon at Janey Godley's funeral this morning

    There is expected to be one noticeable absentee from today's service - Alex Salmond's former protege Nicola Sturgeon.

    Salmond and Sturgeon led the Scottish independence movement together for two decades, serving as consecutive first ministers before and after the 2014 referendum.

    But their relationship broke down spectacularly as a result of sexual allegations later made against Salmond - allegations which he was subsequently cleared of in a High Court trial.

    There was to be no reconciliation before Salmond's death

    So, while former allies prepare for the Salmond service at St Giles' Cathedral, Nicola Sturgeon has been attending the funeral of her friend, the comedian Janey Godley.

    You can read more about the Salmond/Sturgeon relationship here.

    Salmond and Sturgeon: How the best of political double acts fell apart

  2. Who will be at today's service?

    interior of St Giles Cathedral

    The spectacular interior of St Giles' Cathedral where today's service is being held

    The memorial event at St Giles' Cathedral is invitation only and about 400 people are expected to attend.

    Alex Salmond's family and friends will be joined by many of his former political colleagues.

    They will include First Minister John Swinney, as well as the other leaders of the Scottish political parties.

    The service will be led by the Rev Dr George Whyte, the former Principal Clerk of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

    The Proclaimers will perform their pro-independence anthem Cap In Hand during the service, while Dougie McLean will sing his love song to Scotland, Caledonia.

    There will be a Bible reading by Sir David Davis, the Conservative MP who was a close friend of Salmond's.

    Salmond's niece Christine Hendry and his close friends and political allies Duncan Hamilton KC and Kenny MacAskill will share their memories.

  3. Welcome

    Alex Salmond died in October after he had a heart attackGetty Images

    Alex Salmond died in October after he had a heart attack

    Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the public memorial service for former First Minister Alex Salmond.

    The service is being held at Edinburgh's St Giles' Cathedral to allow people to say goodbye and reflect on his life.

    The 69-year-old died suddenly last month after having a heart attack while attending a conference in North Macedonia.

    He was laid to rest in a private family funeral near his home in Aberdeenshire.

    The service is due to begin at 11:00 and you can follow it by clicking on the Watch Live icon at the top of the page.