I knew Alex Salmond for decades. He was flawed but almost unstoppable

He was a hugely significant figure in Scottish and UK politics, the leading advocate for the cause of independence. Nicola Sturgeon regarded him as her mentor, saying they formed “one of the most successful partnerships” in politics.

Yet, in recent years, they were estranged as he switched to lead another party, Alba. Alex Salmond was a passionate, authentic persuader for the Scottish Parliament to have full economic and legislative powers. Yet he was perhaps personally happier at Westminster.

Alex Salmond (Image: JEFF J MITCHELL) He was “a lot of fun”, according to the actor Brian Cox. The Succession star says that it was largely Alex Salmond who persuaded him to leave off supporting Labour and turn to the cause of independence. Others talk of his sense of humour, his sense of mischief.

But that was a caveat, an amendment to an otherwise serious demeanour. In 2020, he faced charges of sexual misconduct. He was cleared and exonerated, claiming fabrication and exaggeration. But, even as he vigorously denied criminal acts, he conceded in a TV interview with me that he was no saint when it came to behaviour. That he had flaws.

The overall assessment of his impact – over the duration of his sadly truncated life – will be for another day, another time. My deep sympathies to his widow Moira and to his wider family. I hope they can find comfort.

For now, there are the tributes. Led by the King, who said Mr Salmond’s “devotion to Scotland” had driven decades of public service. These tributes, from all leaders of all parties, are genuine. They reflect and respect decades of dedication and endeavour. They reflect a transformative character.

John Swinney, the First Minister, said his erstwhile colleague made a “formidable contribution” and “inspired a generation” to pursue the aim of independence. Me, I remember him from our days as students at St Andrews University.

As I recall, he had boundless energy – and long hair topped by what I was cheeky enough to call a Maoist cap. (At the time, I was cutting about in a fedora and a cloak so I am in no position to comment.) I was editor of the student newspaper. He was one of a tiny but dedicated band of SNP supporters at the university – and indeed, as I recall, President of the wider Federation of Student Nationalists.

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We kept in touch as he pursued a career in economics – and then, inevitably, a life in politics. An MP, an MSP. And, of course, SNP leader. Twice. I was in the Hub at the top of the Royal Mile in 2007 to witness his droll verdict, delivered to cheering supporters: “I heard a rumour. I think we won the election.”

As BBC Scotland political editor, I was there in 2011 when he gained an unprecedented majority at Holyrood – an event which was supposed to be impossible under the carefully-calibrated voting system.

I was there too to cover every moment of the 2014 referendum, broadcasting nightly from the top of Calton Hill in the capital.

I was also on hand, in Bute House, when Alex Salmond, thwarted in his independence ambition, chose to step down as leader and First Minister. And I was in Glasgow’s Armadillo when the news came through of his death. Tributes were offered on stage by The Rest is Politics podcasters Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart.

Throughout his adult life, Alex Salmond was a powerful orator – and, more, a persuasive speaker. (The two are not always the same. Potent platform rhetoric can sometimes be off-putting.)

I recall in particular his argument that it was important for Nationalists to do more than just “choose Scotland”. They ought to make choices within Scotland. For Mr Salmond, an early radical, that meant a position on the Left of politics.

Although, as he matured as a politician, that was very definitely the moderate centre Left, a pro-business, social democratic stance. He also insisted that he would leave it to others to make the cultural and social arguments for independence.

His contribution would be the economic, business and popular case. Which is why I believe that, alongside others, he can be credited with transforming the SNP from a party of protest to one of power.

Brian Taylor knew Alex Salmond for decades (Image: free)

He was, for all that, a passionate Nationalist, always eager to advocate that Scotland should regain statehood. But his advocacy was founded upon more than cultural and historical icons.

In the last few years, he was frankly an irritant to the current leadership of the SNP. He projected his new party, Alba, as an aid to the cause of independence, arguing that they could take Holyrood list seats off the back of SNP success in constituencies. The SNP leadership did not see things that way. They saw Alba as a distraction, a challenge. They grimaced privately when he accused the SNP of falling short on pressure for independence.

And it would seem that the voters were less than enthralled too. Alba has, thus far, failed to make the projected break-through. But, once again, the bigger, longer-term picture. SNP leaders and supporters will remember the enormous contribution made by Alex Salmond to the cause which they still hold dear. As of today, one party, Alba, has lost its leader, its defining light. Another, bigger party – the SNP – has lost its erstwhile chief, its once dominant influence.

The cause of independence has lost one of its most effective advocates. And Scotland has lost a hugely significant figure in our body politic.

Brian Taylor is a former political editor for BBC Scotland and a columnist for The Herald. He cherishes his family, the theatre - and Dundee United FC