Alex Salmond has been described as an “inspiration”, “political genius” and a “giant of a man” at a memorial service held for the former Scottish first minister in Edinburgh.
Around 500 people, including family, friends and politicians from across the spectrum attended a service on Saturday at St Giles’ Cathedral to celebrate his love of Scotland and commitment to the cause of independence.
Mr Salmond died suddenly in North Macedonia in October at the age of 69.
Former prime minister Gordon Brown, Scottish First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar were among those attending, but Mr Salmond’s successor Nicola Sturgeon was not.
A rift between the pair developed during Ms Sturgeon’s term as SNP leader. She instead attended the funeral of Scottish comedian Janey Godley in Glasgow on Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, Mr Swinney was met with boos from some in the crowd as he arrived at the service – held on St Andrew’s Day – with at least one person in the crowd outside on the Royal Mile shouting “traitor”.
Mr Salmond stood down as SNP leader and first minister after the 2014 referendum in which Scots voted to stay part of the UK. He went on to lead another pro-independence party, Alba, with Kenny MacAskill.
Mr MacAskill, now the acting Alba leader, told the congregation that Mr Salmond had been a “giant of man”, “an inspiration, a political genius” and “most of all a man who had the cause of independence burned into his heart and seared in his soul”.
The cause of independence was Mr Salmond’s “guiding light, his north star”, the former justice secretary said, adding that “he came so close to achieving it”.
Scotland correspondent
This was the final chapter in Alex Salmond’s long goodbye.
His supporters lined a stretch of Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile with saltire flags flying and posters of the former First Minister plastered along the railings.
This was a strict invite-only occasion.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown dodged the crowds and swooped in the side door of the cathedral. The SNP’s John Swinney will be wishing he took the same approach.
Mr Swinney, who was involved in the bitter feud with Salmond in his latter years, was booed on his arrival and departure. The crowds yelled “traitor to Scotland”.
Swinney, the current First Minister, kept his head down and looked stoney-faced in this humiliating episode.
It was a very public, eyebrow-raising illustration of the complete breakdown in relations and rift in Scotland’s independence movement.
Most notable on the excluded list from these proceedings was Nicola Sturgeon. The one time closest ally of Alex Salmond. She had another funeral to attend which reduced the awkwardness for all parties involved.
The crowd chanted “the dream shall never die” as the congregation filtered out of the church.
A nod to Mr Salmond’s lifelong mission to deliver an independent Scotland in this moment, his final farewell.
Other mourners included Mr Salmond’s widow Moira as well as Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay.
Among the musical performances, Scottish duo the Proclaimers were applauded for singing Cap In Hand – a pro-independence song which features the line “I can’t understand why we let someone else rule our land, cap in hand”.
Brothers Craig and Charlie Reid said: “We’re going to do this for Alex, with love and respect and eternal gratitude for everything you did for our country.”
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Christina Hendry described her Uncle Alex as a “political giant, a strong leader, a fearless campaigner” but also remembered him as a “dearly loved husband, brother and uncle”.
As the service finished the crowd gathered outside applauded and chanted “Alex, Alex” before singing Flower Of Scotland.
