(Image: PA)

Alex Salmond's last tweet hours before death: Scotland is a country not a county

Social media users noted the poignancy of the political stalwart's expression of his passion for Scottish independence right up to his final moments.

by · Daily Record

Alex Salmond's last tweet hours before his death stated that Scotland is a country and not a county in relation to current First Minister John Swinney's meeting with Keir Starmer at the Council of the Nations and Regions.

The 69-year-old, who died of a suspected heart attack after taking unwell, spoke at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Forum in North Macedonia on the day of his death alongside Alba deputy leader Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh.

Just hours before the news was announced, Mr Salmond took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and wrote: "John should have politely declined the meeting with the words 'Scotland is a country, not a county'."

Alex Salmond dies age 69

The final thread reads in full: "Tony Blair used to whine that he never really compared the Scottish Parliament to an “English Parish Council.” It was only the nasty Scottish press who twisted his remarks! In fact, he did so compare.

"Similarly, there is little point in John Swinney complaining that his attendance at the grandly titled Council of the Nations and Regions doesn’t carry a perception of a regional status for the nation of Scotland - it does deliver that status.

"Of course, the First Minister has the right to insist on bilateral JMC meetings with the Prime Minister. I am not sure in which world that correct business approach includes a convivial group selfie with the political opponent who is freezing Scots pensioners."

He continued: "If John or his advisers had read Gordon Brown’s original proposal for this Council, then they would have realised that this wasn’t some ad hoc reset meeting, but part of a plan to pull any independence teeth from devolution.

"It is designed to diminish the status of our Parliament and the First Minister. Part of becoming independent is about thinking independently, not subserviently. John should have politely declined the meeting with the words 'Scotland is a country, not a county.'"

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Social media users noted the poignancy of the political stalwart's expression of his passion for Scottish independence right up to his final moments. One said: "Wow. Very powerful last statement in quotes. RIP Alex Salmond."

Another said: "Heartbreaking to learn that this was your final tweet. Your wise words will stay with many. You’ll be sadly missed by politics and by the nation. RIP."

One added: "Your last words have been written, your final breath has left your body. But your dream shall never die. It lives on in the hearts and minds of independent Scots everywhere. Alba gu bràth."

Another expressed, "Powerful final quote from Alex. ‘Scotland is a country not a county’. R.I.P."

The former SNP leader is survived by wife Moira.

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