THE friends and family of Alex Salmond are considering a major celebration of his life on St Andrew’s Day in the capital.
Salmond’s body was returned to Scotland on Friday after he died after suffering a heart attack in North Macedonia on October 12.
According to The Times, close associates of Salmond are planning a private funeral but there is also the hope that a bigger and more public memorial could be organised around St Andrew’s day or another of the winter holidays in Scotland.
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We previously told how members of the Scottish Resistance have invited the public to join them at a vigil for Salmond in Glasgow on November 30.
Alba’s general secretary Chris McEleny (below) commented: “St Andrew’s Day is a possibility but if that is too early, his birthday was on Hogmanay.
“Even Burns Night is being looked into.”
A friend also told the newspaper that “Alex was really passionate about Scotland’s winter festivals”.
St Andrew’s Day, on November 30, will take place around a month after when the expected private funeral is understood to be taking place.
Elsewhere, acting Alba leader Kenny MacAskill said Salmond’s friends and relatives had been touched by the public reception to a cortege, led by the Yes Bikers, on Friday.
“Moira was remarkably heartened by the turnout of people in the towns and villages on the route from the airport, on the streets, on the roads, and in lay-bys where they paid their respects,” he said.
Speaking to the Press and Journal, MacAskill added a service for Salmond will take place the week of October 28 but the day is still to be decided.
He further confirmed this would be in the north-east but that it would be a "private ceremony for family and friends".
Salmond (above) had been in the Balkan nation to attend a Cultural Diplomacy Forum in the lakeside city of Ohrid.
We also told how the Scottish Parliament issued a statement after tributes left for Salmond outside Holyrood had been removed.
A spokesperson explained this had been due to the strong winds which were forecast as a result of Storm Ashley.
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