THE former First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, who died on Saturday, was “one of the most significant figures in modern Scotland”, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Revd Dr Shaw Paterson, has said.

Mr Salmond, who was the First Minister from 2007 to 2014, and led the Scottish National Party twice (from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014), died suddenly, aged 69, on Saturday, at a conference in North Macedonia.

Dr Paterson paid tribute to Mr Salmond, a member of the Kirk, on Sunday. “Mr Salmond was one of the most significant figures in modern Scotland,” he said. “He played a pivotal role in the SNP’s transformation into Scotland’s party of government, which he led as First Minister, but his influence was not only felt on the national stage.

“For many years he served the communities of his adopted north-east as both an MP and MSP. We acknowledge his many years of service to the country he loved, and offer our sincere condolences and prayers for his family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time, most especially his wife, Moira.”

The Prime Minister said in a statement: “For more than 30 years, Alex Salmond was a monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics. He leaves behind a lasting legacy. As First Minister for Scotland he cared deeply about Scotland’s heritage, history, and culture, as well as the communities he represented as MSP and MP over many years of service.”

In a video posted by the Church of Scotland in 2015, Mr Salmond described the part that he played in introducing “Time for Reflection” to the Scottish Parliament at the start of each week. “It was the only vote I ever won against the late Donald Dewar [the Labour politician who was the inaugural First Minister],” he said.

“Donald was somewhat sceptical of religion . . . and he wanted to avoid having the same parody of prayers that they have in the House of Commons. And so we came up with Time for Reflection, where all religions get a shot, and the humanists as well, and it provides a good way to start the parliamentary week.”

Mr Salmond continued: “I’m biased, of course, because I’m a Church of Scotland adherent. I prefer people of faith to people who have no faith or people who have lost their faith. I think all of the Church’s denominations have a key role to play in society.”

Mr Salmond resigned from the SNP in 2018 after allegations were made against him of sexual misconduct. After a two-week trial in 2020, he was acquitted on all counts. In 2021, he founded the pro-independence Alba Party, which he led until his death.