Alex Salmond’s family have told how proud they are of him and how they are still struggling to come to terms with his death. Christina Hendry, niece of the late former first minister, said the family was “doing OK” ahead of a public memorial service for Salmond at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh tomorrow.
The former SNP and Alba leader, who served for seven years as First Minister between 2007 and 2014, died of a heart attack on October 12, aged 69. A private funeral was held last month in Aberdeenshire where Salmond lived.
Tomorrow’s large memorial event in the capital will be another opportunity for family, friends and former political colleagues to commemorate his life. The event will also be livestreamed from 11am.
Salmond’s sudden death last month stunned the world of Scottish politics. He had been attending a political conference in North Macedonia, where he spoke about his experiences of leading the Yes campaign at the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s memorial service, Ms Hendry said: “Uncle Alec dedicated his life to public service. Obviously, we didn’t see him as much as we have seen other family members because he was constantly away.
“But we were all so, so proud of him and knew he was representing Scotland and standing up for Scotland.” She travelled to Holyrood to view the book of condolence in the Scottish Parliament, open to the public to leave messages to Salmond’s family.
Ms Hendry added: “It has given us a chance to think back on everything he did.” She continued: “The family are doing OK. I think we’re doing what uncle Alec would tell us to do and just keeping going.
“There’s been a lot going on, a lot to plan – first getting him home, then the funeral and now the memorial. I’m not sure there’s really been time to fully process things and fully grieve but as a family we’re sticking together, keeping close and keeping going.
“I think for anybody and for any family losing a loved one is really, really hard. It’s been especially difficult because of where he died but also how high-profile he was and I think that’s come with challenges.”
Ms Hendry will be among the speakers at Saturday’s public memorial which will also feature musical performances from Dougie MacLean and The Proclaimers. She said: “We knew how much uncle Alec loved Scotland, loved Scottish culture, loved the Scottish arts.
“We want it to be about Scotland and about uncle Alec and how much he valued Scotland and saw Scotland’s potential for the future for independence.”
Key political ally and former justice secretary Kenny MacAskill – currently Alba’s acting leader – will also pay tribute to Salmond, along with Duncan Hamilton KC, a former SNP MSP turned advocate. Serving SNP MSP Fergus Ewing will read from The Wild Geese by Violet Jacob, while Conservative MP David Davis, a longtime friend of Salmond’s, will deliver a Bible reading.
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