A BOOK of condolence has been opened at the Scottish Parliament to allow people to pay their respects to the former first minister Alex Salmond.
Salmond died suddenly aged 69 on Saturday afternoon from a suspected heart attack while attending a conference in Ohrid, North Macedonia.
His death has sent shockwaves across Scotland with tributes continuing to flood in from all over the world.
Visitors can leave their messages in the book which has been placed in the main hall at Holyrood. The book will be sent on to Salmond’s family.
In a statement released by the Alba Party on Sunday, 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 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.”
Tributes have continued to pour in, with Roddy McColl, former chairman of the Mary Salmond Trust – set up by Salmond in 2007 in memory of his mother – publishing a statement on Monday afternoon.
He said: “Alex was always very encouraging to the trustees, given the work that was being done in the name of his mother, for whom he had a great deal of affection.
“We, the trustees were honoured to be given the responsibility of discharging his wishes and felt privileged to be allowed to assist young people, families, the elderly and charities across the Northeast on his behalf.
“We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Moira and all of his family.”
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 he went on a number of years later to form the Alba Party.
The Parliament is open to visitors from Monday to Saturday between 10am and 4.30pm.
