ALEX Salmond's family have paid tribute to a “formidable politician” and “a devoted and loving husband”, following his death aged 69.
Salmond, who led the SNP before later founding the Alba party, died on Saturday afternoon from a suspected heart attack during a trip to North Macedonia.
The former first minister had made a speech at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Forum before collapsing at lunch later in the day.
In a statement released by the Alba party, Salmond’s family said he was “a devoted and loving husband, a fiercely loyal brother, a proud and thoughtful uncle and a faithful and trusted friend”.
The family's statement said: “Alex was a formidable politician, an amazing orator, an outstanding intellect and admired throughout the world.
“He loved meeting people and hearing their stories and showed incredible kindness to those who needed it.
“He dedicated his adult life to the cause he believed in – independence for Scotland.”
They added: “In our darkest of family moments, he was always the one who got us through, making this time even more difficult, as he is not here for us to turn to. His resilience and optimism knew no bounds.
“He led us to believe in better. Without Alex, life will never be the same again.
“But he would want us to continue with his life’s work for independence, and for justice, and that is what we shall do.”
Salmond served as first minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014 and was leader of the SNP on two occasions, from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014 after joining the party in 1973.
He is largely credited for helping take the party from the fringe into the mainstream as he led the SNP into power when they won the Scottish Parliament election in 2007.
The party then won an unprecedented majority in the election four years later which helped pave the way for the referendum on Scottish independence.
Salmond resigned as first minister after the 2014 Scottish independence referendum result and was succeeded by Nicola Sturgeon.
He launched the Scottish independence party, Alba, in 2021.
