Alex Salmond memorial service to be livestreamed after ‘overwhelming’ public interest

A memorial service for Alex Salmond will be livestreamed on St Andrews Day, announced by the former first minister’s family. The service will honour the ex-SNP leader at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on November 30 at 11 am. Salmond’s unexpected passing last month at the age of 69 due to a heart attack shocked the Scottish political world. He had been participating in a political conference in North Macedonia, discussing his role in leading the Yes campaign during the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence. A private family funeral took place near his residence in Strichen, Aberdeenshire, on October 29, where neither John Swinney nor Nicola Sturgeon, his successors as first minister, were in attendance.

The family stated they were “overwhelmed” by the immense public interest in attending the service, which was by invitation only. In response to this interest, a livestream will be arranged to enable the public to view the service remotely. The family spokesperson mentioned, “The family are overwhelmed by the level of public interest in attending Alex’s memorial service.” They added, “Sadly, we cannot accommodate everyone…but are pleased to say that the event will be live-streamed from St Giles’ Cathedral, with the service scheduled to begin at 11 am on Saturday November 30.”

During Salmond’s funeral at Strichen Parish Church, he was remembered as a “dear friend” who brought Scotland “so close to the dream of independence.” Kenny MacAskill, the acting leader of Alba, commended him as “a giant of a man, an inspiration, a political genius,” and more. Former colleagues like Joanna Cherry, John Bercow, and Jim Sillars were present, but John Swinney was notably absent. The First Minister paid tribute to Salmond in a special motion of condolence in the Scottish Parliament, acknowledging his significant impact on Scotland.

In conclusion, the livestreamed memorial service for Alex Salmond on St Andrews Day will allow the public to honour and remember the influential Scottish politician who played a crucial role in shaping the country’s political landscape for decades.