Alex Salmond, one of the most important figures in SNP history, has died at the age of 69.
The former SNP leader, who was the First Minister between 2007 and 2014, passed away after giving a speech in Macedonia on Saturday.
A spokesman for Alba, the pro-independence party he led after leaving the SNP, confirmed his death.
Salmond is considered one of the most transformative political figures in Scottish political history.
His first spell as SNP leader resulted in him taking his party from the fringes to the cusp of power at Holyrood., before resigning in 2000.
He was elected for a second time as SNP leader in 2004 before taking his party into Government for the first time three years later.
He was widely judged to have led a successful SNP Government before winning a landslide Holyrood election in 2011 and securing an independence referendum.
Independence was rejected and he quit as leader in 2014.
His latter years in politics were marked by a breakdown in relations between him and his protege, Nicola Sturgeon.
They fell out over an unlawful investigation by her Government into conduct claims against him.
He later quit the SNP and formed Alba.
He is survived by his wife Moira.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “The sad news of Alex Salmond’s passing today will come as a shock to all who knew him in Scotland, across the U.K and beyond.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time and on behalf of Scottish Labour I offer our sincere condolences to all who will be mourning his loss.
“Alex was a central figure in politics for over three decades and his contribution to the Scottish political landscape can not be overstated.
“It is right that we recognise Alex’s service to our country as First Minister and to the communities he represented as both MP and MSP.”