Renfrewshire is this week remembering “a giant of Scottish politics” as tributes are paid to the former first minister Alex Salmond.
The 69-year-old died of a heart attack after delivering a speech in North Macedonia on Saturday afternoon.
Politicians from across the political divide in Renfrewshire have sought to pay their condolences following the death of Mr Salmond, who was the leader of the SNP between 1990-2000 and again between 2004-2014.
Renfrewshire Council leader, SNP politician Iain Nicolson, knew Mr Salmond in a personal capacity, having campaigned with him in Paisley. He said: “Alex Salmond came to prominence with the ‘79 group who wanted the SNP to be a left of centre party which I believe set the SNP on course to winning in central Scotland in 1979. The same year I joined.
“I came home one day to find him sitting in my house with Jim Sillars and Margaret Ewing to campaign in my council election campaign in 1990, the same year the two Paisley Westminster by-elections occurred.
“He was a natural on the doorstep and was equally happy to be driven about in my work van around Paisley. The SNP vote increased significantly and was a bellwether event for future success. His drive, enthusiasm and down-to-earth nature made him a natural leader of not just a party but a movement.
“The suddenness of his passing will be extremely difficult for his family and my condolences to Moira and his family.”
Mr Salmond was a well-respected campaigner for independence for Scotland throughout his life, with even those who held the opposite view on the issue respecting him as a formidable politician.
West Scotland Labour MSP Neil Bibby said: “Alex Salmond was undoubtedly one of the most influential politicians of the last 25 years.
“Taking his party from the wilderness to government and winning a majority under a PR system in 2011 – once regarded as impossible.
“My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”
And Councillor Iain McMillan, the leader of the Labour Group at Renfrewshire Council described Mr Salmond as a “giant” of the country’s political landscape.
He said: “Like everyone else in Scotland, we in Renfrewshire Labour were shocked to hear of the death of Alex Salmond on Saturday. He was a giant of Scottish politics and he has left a huge legacy not only within the independence movement but in the wider political culture of not only Scotland but the wider UK also. He passed at a relatively young age and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Books of condolence have been opened in the Scottish Parliament’s garden lobby and public hall for MSPs and members of the public to leave messages of condolence following Mr Salmond’s death.
His family – including wife Moira, sisters Margaret and Gail, his brother Bob and his nieces Christina and Karen and his nephews Mark, Neil and Ian – released a statement on Sunday evening regarding his death.
It said: “Alex was a formidable politician, an amazing orator, an outstanding intellect, and admired throughout the world. He loved meeting people and hearing their stories, and showed incredible kindness to those who needed it.
“He dedicated his adult life to the cause he believed in – independence for Scotland. His vision and enthusiasm for Scotland and the Yes movement were both inspirational and contagious.
“But to us, first and foremost, he was a devoted and loving husband, a fiercely loyal brother, a proud and thoughtful uncle and a faithful and trusted friend.”
They added: “In our darkest of family moments, he was always the one who got us through, making this time even more difficult, as he is not here for us to turn to. His resilience and optimism knew no bounds.
“He led us to believe in better. Without Alex, life will never be the same again. But he would want us to continue with his life’s work for independence, and for justice, and that is what we shall do.”
It concludes with words “the dream shall never die” – the same words used by Salmond as he stepped down as first minister following the loss of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
Don’t miss the latestRenfrewshire headlines –sign up to our free daily newsletter here