IT’S been 24 years since I lost my mother to a heart attack. She was just 49 years old, and I was pregnant at the time.

The shock and grief hit hard, and over the years, the waves of loss have ebbed and flowed. I felt robbed – robbed of the moments I would’ve spent with her asking about life, family, and the future.

This past week, with the sudden passing of Alex Salmond at 69, I was transported back to those feelings. My heart goes out to his loved ones, who are now navigating that same world of loss and shock.

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First and foremost, I thought of his family when I heard the news. But it’s impossible to not also reflect on his towering presence in the independence movement.

I campaigned for Alex during the 2015 and 2017 elections, and he had a personal hand in encouraging me to shift from activism to elected politics.

I vividly recall one evening when he pulled up a chair in front of me and said: “What do we need to do to get you elected?”

With my young family and the upheavals in my personal life at the time, I wasn’t sure how I could manage it. But with a former first minister challenging me directly, how could I refuse? So, I put my name forward for the local council elections.

Salmond was full of wisdom and insight in those early years of my activism, and I’m sure I’m not alone in crediting him with influencing my political path.

In a strange twist of fate, it looked like I might face him as a challenger in the 2026 election for Banffshire and Buchan Coast.

I was actually looking forward to it – the prospect of political sparring with him. It would’ve been quite a turnaround, and a fantastic experience. But now, that’s not to be. His passing reminds us of a simple but profound truth: That tomorrow is not promised.

I know this truth intimately, with my own mother passing away before she got to meet four of my six children. Her absence is something I carry every day. But her legacy lives on through me, through the values she instilled in me, and through the unwavering belief she had in Scotland’s potential.

Salmond leaves behind a legacy of taking Scotland to the brink of a new world, and reinvigorating millions of activists.

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But here’s the hard truth: The work of those who came before us is unfinished. It’s our responsibility now to carry the torch forward, to build something that future generations will be proud to inherit, and be ready to pass the torch on, for it’s not ours to keep.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day battles, focusing on the present. But moments like this remind us that the real fight is for the future – for a Scotland where decisions are made by the people who live here and for those who come after us.

When I reflect on what we are trying to achieve, I ask myself: Are we doing this for us, or for our children and grandchildren? Are we shaping a future that they will be proud of, that they can mould according to their own values and aspirations?

That is what drives me in this movement – ensuring that we’re not just completing the work of those who came before, but that we’re also laying a strong foundation for those who will come next.

'The independence movement has never been about one person'

Salmond’s leadership defined key moments in the movement. He guided the campaign through both triumphs and trials, and yes, his voice was pivotal, but just as my mother passed her SNP badges to me, leadership in the independence movement eventually passes on to the next generation. They need to feel proud of what they inherit – a cause that speaks to their future.

We’ve seen generations come and go, each contributing to the cause in their own way. Now it’s our turn to honour those who are no longer with us by carrying on the fight with the same resolve.

This doesn’t mean clinging to the past. It means acknowledging the foundations that have been laid while recognising that the future belongs to those who come after us.

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The question is: Are we ready to build a Scotland that’s adaptable, progressive, and forward-thinking enough to meet the challenges of tomorrow? Are we creating a country where future generations feel empowered to shape their own destiny?

These questions have never felt more pressing. For those who feel the weight of Salmond’s passing, I say this: remember the vision he stood for but know that the torch has been passed to all of us.

The independence movement has never been about one person – it’s a collective effort. It’s the dream of millions of Scots, and that dream is still very much alive.

To keep that momentum going, we need to return to our roots. The grassroots activists who have always been the lifeblood of this movement – people like my mother, who campaigned tirelessly for decades – know that this fight has peaks and valleys. But they remain committed, regardless of setbacks.

Now more than ever, we need to tap into that energy.

Recently, it felt like we’ve fallen into the trap of negativity. The independence movement has always thrived when it’s been positive and forward-looking.

We need to bring back that sense of hope – the belief that an independent Scotland is a place of opportunity for all. This isn’t just about breaking away from the UK, it’s about building a better Scotland – for today and for tomorrow, for everyone.

Let’s not lose sight of that. The torch has been passed, and it’s up to us to carry it forward. Not just for ourselves, but for those who will follow in our footsteps.

Scotland’s future is in our hands, and we owe it to those who came before us – and to those who will come after – to make it a future they can be proud of.