Campaigning on hold for Alex Salmond as he pays tribute after his father dies at 95
Former First Minister Alex Salmond’s father, Robert, has died at the age of 95.
The father-of-four passed away at the Erskine Home for ex-servicemen.
The former SNP leader said a funeral would be held in his father’s local church in West Lothian next week.
He said: “Dad passed away peacefully on Monday night at Erskine and now will be taken home to Linlithgow where he spent all of his days, apart from his wartime service in the Royal Navy.
“Dad, a passionate SNP supporter for more than half a century, always took a keen interest in elections. However, he was really proud of all of his children’s achievements.”
Mr Salmond also thanked the workers at Erskine who looked after his father during his final years.
“All four of us, Margaret, myself, Gail and Bob, are enormously grateful to the Erskine staff whose kindness to our father over these last few years has been beyond measure,” he said.
“It is a very sad week for all of the family and Gail and I have taken some time out from our campaigns to help with the arrangements.
“However, we both know exactly what Dad would be saying to us right now – for goodness sake dust yourself down and get on with it.
“That is what we all intend to do.”
Alex Salmond also took to social media yesterday to thank followers for their words of sympathy.
In a tweet, he said: “Thank you for all of your kind words and good wishes.”
Robert Salmond, who served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, had originally worked as an electrician.
As a petty officer he served on two aircraft carriers and was responsible for repairing radios on the planes. Two of Robert’s children are standing for election this week.
While Alex is standing in Aberdeenshire, his sister, Gail, is campaigning for votes in the Scottish Borders by-election, which was sparked when John Lamont stepped down as MSP to fight the Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk seat at the general election.