BY far the best tribute to Alex Salmond would be for all of us to put aside any tiny differences and prejudices; to unite in our common aim; to now resolutely force a path to independence in Scotland; and to remember that the person who in 2014 brought us closest to it can no longer see it happen.
We should also remember that we are a sovereign people in a discredited union with England and that any rules we break will merely be those imagined to exist by England. United Nations rules and international law will be there only to help us.
Michael F Troon
Gauldry, Fife
READ MORE: Yes Scotland leaders pay tribute to 'courageous' Alex Salmond
AS the tributes to Alex Salmond arrive this week from within our nation and abroad, there will be much well-deserved acclaim for his gifts of oratory, strategic acumen and competent governance. A well-rounded, thorough grasp of Scottish history and culture in prose, rhyme and song completes the picture of a true “steward” of Scotland.
However, the enduring keynotes and example for me from Alex Salmond’s life will be the dignity and Christian restraint he modelled when assailed by hostile and unscrupulous forces arraigned against him, whilst in the meantime maintaining and developing his life’s mission, namely the emancipation of Scotland from de facto colonialism. In other words the qualities of a gifted statesman. He will be deeply missed by the whole independence movement.
Dr Andrew Docherty
Selkirk
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THERE is a dreadful sadness as I write on the death of Alex Salmond, while he was on active political service.
Although the Scottish and UK establishments have tried to besmirch his name, he rose above it all and was acquitted by the highest court in the land, on all 13 charges of sexual misconduct.
When I once met him, shook his hand and shared a bacon roll with him at Newtonmore golf club, he engendered a warm and friendly atmosphere, where fun and laughter were the keynotes.
READ MORE: The National readers invited to share their memories of Alex Salmond
No matter what, here was a passionate and inspirational leader, whose intellect and integrity was “abin them a’”. He galvanised the people of Scotland and led the independence campaign from a tiny tartan-Tory minority into a social democratic majority, only to be beaten by the false and insidious UK “Vow”.
Respected at home and abroad as a timeless Scottish and world leader, to ensure his lasting legacy Scotland must complete its journey to independence.
Grant Frazer
Newtonmore
REGARDLESS of whether you agreed with Alex Salmond’s methods since he resigned as FM after the 2014 referendum, he has been the only one to bring Scotland close to independence.
He was without doubt one of the greatest statesmen for Scottish independence we have seen to date. We must remember him for that, not all the controversy that has surrounded him since 2014.
Sheila Le Mottee
via thenational.scot
READ MORE: See the last pictures of Alex Salmond before his death
SHOCKING news and very sad. Alex Salmond’s place in Scotland’s history is assured though he lost his way in recent years. My fervent wish was that he and Sturgeon could have patched up their differences somehow as he still had much to offer. Sadly now not to be.
Sympathy to his friends and family.
Henry Mcvey
via thenational.scot
EVERYTHING that has happened in recent years to one side – none of that is important now – Alex Salmond dedicated his life to Scottish independence. He didn’t live to see it happen but he has left us with a Union that is much weakened and a nation filled with young Scots who are proudly Scottish and hungry for independence.
That is his legacy and I hope this is what he is remembered for in the years to come – hopefully in an independent Scotland.
A J Wilson
via thenational.scot
SUCH a shock and such sad news. I can’t say I was Alex Salmond’s biggest fan latterly but he did open my eyes to what was possible for our nation and for that I will be forever grateful.
He also did a lot, under the radar, for the Gaelic language, which was another measure of his belief in Scotland as a free nation holding its own, proudly, on the world stage. He will be sorely missed.
John Curren
via thenational.scot
READ MORE: 'He was my mentor': Nicola Sturgeon pays tribute to Alex Salmond
ANOTHER independence giant gone. Never has modern Scotland seen his like, and we will not see his like again – until we take our independence.
He never wavered in so many years and put heart into us all to take the cause forward. He would want us to take heart now and keep the flame burning.
You had a terrible time of it in recent years, Alec, and it drained your strength. Bless you for all you did for our country. No-one is your equal.
Lorna Campbell
via thenational.scot
IT was with a real sense of loss that I learned of the death of Alex Salmond. Alex Salmond was a brilliant, driven, and a supremely effective and charismatic politician. He took the SNP from the fringes of Scottish politics to being a mainstream player in UK politics. A towering figure who, with his fierce intelligence, revelled in political debate and took Scotland to the brink of independence.
Sandy Gordon
Edinburgh
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