Salmond memorial service – Kenny MacAskill promises “your dream shall be delivered”

On Saturday many gathered in the capital to attend the invitation only memorial event at St Giles’ Cathedral to celebrate the life of former First Minister, The Rt Hon Alex Salmond, who died suddenly last month. There was also a small crowd outside the cathedral of independence supporters.

The service was led by Rev Dr George Whyte, and music was provided by Sheena Wellington, The Proclaimers and Dougie MacLean – not recordings – these were live acts performing in the High Kirk. Theme for Scotland and The Referendum were played by Alasdair Fraser on the fiddle, and Natalie Haas on cello.

The memorial and the reception afterwards were organised by Geoff Aberdein who used to work for Alex Salmond – and who famously was sacked seven times by his demanding boss. He said: “It was a sad day, but also a day of celebration as we remembered what I believe to be the most significant Scottish politician of our generation.

“I thought my colleague Duncan Hamilton paying a personal tribute to Alex and making the point that Alex dared to dream for the country. And you don’t have to necessarily be an independence supporter to subscribe to that. Secondly, I have to say that The Proclaimers singing Cap in Hand. I think that was a very nice touch. I think Alex will be up there pretty tickled at that.”

The service included new words set to the tune of Oh Lord and Father of Mankind. The words were written by Pamela J Pettit and the first verse begins “I have a dream a man once said, where all is perfect peace, where men and women, black and white, stand hand in hand, and all unite in freedom and in love”. Fergus Ewing MSP read The Wild Geese by Violet Jacob and the congregation sang “Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart”.

The choir and congregation also sang the Lord’s My Shepherd, and a congregational song led by Sheena Wellington – “A Man’s a man for a that”. Ms Wellington sang this at the opening of The Scottish Parliament just down the hill from St Giles’ at Assembly Hall.

After the benediction, the choir sang to the tune of Ae Fond Kiss the words “May the God of peace go with us as we travel from this place, may the love of Jesus keep us firm in hope and full of grace”.

Charlie Reid, one of The Proclaimers, said: “Independence is a realistic possibility but it is whether we can motivate particularly young people to get involved in the campaign. There’s a lot of healing to be done inside the movement. And there will be a period after which we can move forward on a united front.”

The Rt Hon Sir David Davis MP was a great friend of Alex Salmond’s despite the fact that he is a Conservative MP. He told The Edinburgh Reporter after the service that he has been at many memorial services, but that honestly this was the best one he had ever been to. He said his contribution was an easy one. He read “Do not let your hearts be troubled”.

Sir David commented was due to have dinner with his friend Alex the day after he died, and the previous month he had been due to have dinner with businessman Mike Lynch. Both men died unexpectedly before he could meet with them and Sir David joked that his diary is fast emptying out as people are reluctant to make an arrangement with him.

And piper Hamish Moore played a selection of Scottish pipe music beginning with Freedom Come A Ye by Hamish Henderson to the tune of The Bloody Fields of Flanders by Pipe Major John McLellan.

Kenny MacAskill’s address at St Giles’

ALBA Acting leader Kenny MacAskill said during the service: ““As I said in the village Kirk in Strichen, when we laid Alex to rest amongst his ain folk in the Northeast, I say again as we pay tribute to him, here in the High Kirk of St Giles, in our Nation’s Capital.

For it can’t be said often enough, the greatness of the man and what a loss he is to our Nation. And it will be repeated down through the years and for generations to come, such has been his impact, and such is his legacy.

A Giant of a man, the leader of our country, the leader of our movement. An inspiration, a political genius, an orator, debater and communicator without parallel.

At ease on any national or international stage, whether with Monarchs or Political Leaders, Business or Trade Union, Media or other professions. Never overawed and more often outshining all.

Revered by many, respected by all. Who through his skills and unstinting effort won friends and gained admiration across the social and political spectrum. Even in areas once viewed as others fiefdoms.

At ease with veterans as with the military and civic dignitaries at D Day celebrations. Brokering agreement between trade unions and employers.

Only days ago, many marching in this city in defence of Grangemouth, Scotland’s oil Refinery. Demanding action from UK and Scottish Governments.

Let it never be forgotten that Alex Salmond saved it not once but twice. Refusing to accept that it would close, fighting for the Nations Interest, and active in supporting the shop stewards struggle until the end.

Unflappable in a crisis. He was the man for the moment, and he faced many. Climatic, economic, health, even terrorism. Seeking not to enhance his profile but protect his people.

Always in command. For sure he liked the limelight, but always happy to share the spotlight. And generous in defeat, as in victory.

Most of all a man who had the cause of Independence burned into his heart and seared in his soul. Reared on his grandfather’s tales of Scottish history and raised in the historic town of Linlithgow, a residence of Scottish Kings and birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.

He could have succeeded in any profession or walk of life, such were his talents, energy and ability. And in politics he could have risen to the very top in any party. Indeed, there were many offers and blandishments put to him by the established British parties. But he forsook them all. Doing so for Scottish Independence. His guiding light, his north star, his life’s work not just his life’s ambition. And he came so close to achieving it.

I received a very kind e mail from a someone who had never met him but wrote: “Alex Salmond embodied national pride and was the energy to deliver the change Scotland so badly needs. I still reflect on 2014 with immense pride and abject sadness at the result.”

That man was right. Alex Salmond made our people walk tall and he restored pride in our land.

Devising a strategy and moulding a movement he embarked on a journey. Running the first ever Independence supporting government which through credibility, capability and competence won an unprecedented and previously perceived impossible overall majority in 2011.

Leaving a legacy visible all around us. From free prescriptions and the absence of tuition fees to the Queensferry Crossing, Aberdeen bypass and projects covering our land. Whatever may be claimed by some, the record narrating whose government delivered them.

Adamant our land wasn’t too wee, too poor or our people too stupid to run their own affairs. That there was something wrong with so many having to leave their native land for opportunities or even a job.

Believing the people best suited to run our country were those choosing to make it their home, from wherever they may have come. As Burns wrote,

“Man to man the warld o’er shall brithers be for a’ that.”

Exemplifying his fundamental decency, a contrast with the xenophobia now shamefully prevalent in politics.

Realising that the Scottish tragedy wasn’t how bad things were, but how much better they should be. For a Nation blessed with so much, we were achieving so little.

Some Nations discovering oil and seeing the desert bloom. Scotland, seeing whole communities turned into industrial deserts.

And now turbines turning on land and sea, but folk unable to turn the heating on in their homes. A land that’s energy rich,yet half its people facing fuel poverty.

Those were the beliefs which drove him and saw him come so close to victory. But he neither abandoned his dream nor faltered in efforts to achieve it. Setting too yet again and with the energy he had at the very outset. And he would have succeeded.

As he said in his final social media foray.

“Scotland’s a Country, not a County.”

Lambasting those demeaning our land and chastising those supinely allowing it to happen.

As Burns said,

“Wha sae base as be a slave

Let him turn and flee”

He cannot now do so. It’s why those of us who share his dream must conclude that journey on his behalf. That’s the legacy he’d expect and the duty we owe him.

When we leave this memorial, we do so not with our heads hung low but with our heads held high. A tear in our eye, but fire in our soul. Cherishing his memory, revering his achievements, seeking justice for his name, and pledged to deliver his dream.

As his beloved Burns wrote:

“Lay the proud usurpers low,

Tyrants fall with every foe,

Liberty’s in every blow,

Let us do or die.”

Farewell my friend, You said “the dream shall never die.”

But we shall overcome.

Your dream shall be delivered.”

Phyllis Stephen

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.

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