Alex Salmond, Former Scottish First Minister Dies at 69 \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Alex Salmond, the former first minister of Scotland and long-time champion of Scottish independence, has passed away at the age of 69 in Ohrid, North Macedonia. Salmond, a pivotal figure in British and Scottish politics, led the Scottish National Party (SNP) and took Scotland to the brink of independence during the 2014 referendum. He died suddenly while attending a cultural diplomacy forum. Tributes from across the political spectrum have poured in, acknowledging his significant contributions to Scottish political life.
Alex Salmond’s Legacy: Quick Looks
- Pivotal Independence Advocate: Alex Salmond led Scotland to the 2014 independence referendum, where 45% of voters supported separation from the U.K.
- SNP Leadership: Salmond served as SNP leader twice (1990–2000 and 2004–2014), transforming the party from a fringe group to the governing force in Scotland.
- Tributes Across Politics: U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other leaders praised his contributions to Scottish and British politics.
- Personal and Legal Battles: Salmond faced a legal challenge in 2019 when charged with sexual assault, but was acquitted in 2020.
- Founding the Alba Party: In 2021, Salmond formed the Alba Party, which aimed to renew the push for Scottish independence.
Deep Look
Alex Salmond, the former first minister of Scotland and a driving force behind the movement for Scottish independence, passed away suddenly at 69 in the lake-resort town of Ohrid, North Macedonia, where he had been attending a cultural diplomacy forum. Salmond’s political career spanned decades and was marked by his relentless advocacy for Scotland’s independence from the United Kingdom, a goal he nearly realized in the 2014 referendum. His death leaves behind a complicated legacy, defined by his role as one of Scotland’s most influential political figures in modern history.
Salmond first rose to national prominence in the 1990s as the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP). During his two terms as leader, from 1990 to 2000 and then again from 2004 to 2014, he transformed the SNP from a political outsider to Scotland’s ruling party. It was during his second tenure as leader that he engineered the 2014 independence referendum, which brought Scotland closer to independence than ever before. The vote, while ultimately unsuccessful, saw 45% of Scots support breaking away from the U.K. The result, though a loss, marked a significant shift in Scotland’s political landscape and left the independence movement stronger than it had ever been.
Salmond’s sudden passing was confirmed by the office of former North Macedonian President Gjorgje Ivanov, who released a statement saying, “Unfortunately, Alex Salmond, the former first minister of Scotland who was one of the panellists at yesterday’s cultural diplomacy forum that was held in Ohrid, died suddenly today.” The cause of his death has not been made public.
Tributes quickly poured in from political leaders across the U.K. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the Labour Party described Salmond as a “monumental figure” in both Scottish and British politics, adding that “he leaves behind a lasting legacy.” Starmer praised Salmond’s dedication to Scottish heritage and the communities he represented as first minister, a role Salmond held from 2007 until his resignation following the referendum in 2014.
Nicola Sturgeon, Salmond’s long-time ally and eventual successor as SNP leader and first minister, offered a bittersweet tribute. Reflecting on their turbulent relationship in recent years, Sturgeon said, “Obviously, I cannot pretend that the events of the past few years which led to the breakdown of our relationship did not happen, and it would not be right for me to try. However, it remains the fact that for many years Alex was an incredibly significant figure in my life. He was my mentor, and for more than a decade we formed one of the most successful partnerships in U.K. politics.”
After stepping down from leadership following the referendum defeat, Salmond faced legal challenges that cast a shadow over his career. In 2019, he was charged with sexual assault and attempted rape, accusations brought forward by nine women who had worked with him during his time as first minister or with the SNP. Salmond fiercely denied the charges, describing them as “deliberate fabrications for a political purpose.” Following a trial in March 2020, Salmond was acquitted of all charges.
John Swinney, Scotland’s current first minister and an SNP stalwart, expressed deep shock and sadness at Salmond’s passing. He highlighted Salmond’s pivotal role in Scottish politics, saying, “Alex made an enormous contribution to political life, not just within Scotland, but across the U.K. and beyond. He took the Scottish National Party from the fringes of Scottish politics into government and led Scotland so close to becoming an independent country.”
Salmond’s dedication to Scottish independence was rooted in his childhood and personal experiences. He often spoke of learning to dream of an independent Scotland at his grandfather’s knee, and his nationalist sentiments were sharpened during his time at St. Andrew’s University. He studied medieval history, reflecting his deep connection to Scotland’s past, and economics, which prepared him to become Scotland’s most economically visionary politician. His early career as an economist included work for the Scottish regional government and the Royal Bank of Scotland, where he focused on North Sea oil, Scotland’s most valuable natural resource.
Salmond’s political career began in earnest when he won a seat in the U.K. Parliament in 1987. By 1990, he had become the leader of the SNP, and by the late 1990s, he was working closely with Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair to establish a devolved Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. This reform stopped short of full independence but gave Scotland a taste of self-governance, laying the groundwork for future independence efforts. Under Salmond’s leadership, the SNP capitalized on growing nationalist sentiment, ultimately forming the government in 2007, with Salmond as the first minister.
Salmond’s vision of an independent Scotland became a reality in 2012 when he secured an agreement with U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron to hold a referendum on independence. The vote in 2014, though ultimately unsuccessful, was a watershed moment for the SNP and the independence movement. Salmond’s resignation in the wake of the defeat marked the end of an era, but his influence continued to shape Scottish politics for years to come.
Despite the SNP’s dominance in Scottish politics, the party recently faced a major setback in the 2023 U.K.-wide general election, losing a significant number of seats in the House of Commons to Labour. Nevertheless, the SNP remains the dominant political force in Scotland, and the movement for independence that Salmond championed continues to be a central issue in Scottish politics.
As Scotland reflects on Salmond’s legacy, he will be remembered as a bold and divisive figure—one who brought the country closer to independence than ever before and reshaped Scottish political life for a generation.
