Strichen, Aberdeenshire – Alex Salmond’s funeral will be held today at 1:00 PM at Strichen Parish Church, led by the Reverend Ian McEwan, a family friend. The private ceremony is set to honor Salmond’s life following his recent passing from a heart attack at the age of 69 while attending a conference in North Macedonia.
The service will be attended by family and close friends, followed by a private burial. Eulogies will be delivered by notable figures including acting Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill, former SNP cabinet colleague Fergus Ewing, and Salmond’s niece, Christina Hendry.
First Minister John Swinney has submitted a motion of condolence to the Scottish Parliament but will not attend the service. A spokesperson confirmed that, per the family’s wishes, the funeral is a private affair, emphasizing the Scottish government’s support for Salmond’s family during this time.
Reverend McEwan, who also officiated Salmond’s father Robert’s funeral in 2017, reflected on Salmond’s dual nature, describing him as both ebullient and confident in public and a “remarkable people person” who genuinely cared about others. He expressed hope that the service would provide comfort to the family, recognizing the added complexity of Salmond’s passing.
“There’s a huge amount of distress and sadness, as you’d guess,” McEwan noted. “They are an incredible family and just an inspiration to be with, even in such difficult circumstances.”
Salmond’s body was repatriated to Scotland from North Macedonia on a private flight funded by businessman Sir Tom Hunter. He suffered a heart attack during a lunch with delegates at a conference organized by the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy.
In a heartfelt statement, Salmond’s family described him as “a devoted and loving husband, a fiercely loyal brother, a proud and thoughtful uncle, and a faithful and trusted friend.”
Members of the Scottish Parliament are expected to pay tribute to Salmond during a debate on the motion of condolence submitted by the First Minister on Wednesday.