Alex's legacy will be a generation of future leaders
Alba Party Chair and former MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh attended the "Cultural Diplomacy Forum 2025" in Skopje, North Macedonia last month in which it was announced that the "School for Young Leaders", established by former President Dr Gjorge Ivanov, is to introduce an award in memory of Scotland's former First Minister Rt Hon Alex Salmond who died attending the 2024 forum, at which former President Ivanov was present, in Ohrid, North Macedonia in October 2024.
This was the first time Ms Ahmed-Sheikh had visited North Macedonia since Alex Salmond's sad passing.
Ms Ahmed-Sheikh had the honour of meeting the current President of North Macedonia Ms Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova (above) and the former President Dr Gjorge Ivanov. Ms Ahmed-Sheikh presented Ms Siljanovska-Davkova and Dr Ivanov with Bannockbane Silver tartan throws - the Bannockbane silver tartan is a modern variation of a tartan inspired by the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. It commemorates Robert the Bruce's decisive victory and Scotland's hard won Independence.
Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Mail on her return from North Macedonia Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh said:
"It was a great honour to meet with both the current and former Presidents of North Macedonia. I was able to thank them personally on behalf of Alex's wider family in the ALBA Party for the dignified and respectful send off which North Macedonia gave to Alex when his body was repatriated to Scotland last year.
"The people of North Macedonia attending the forum in Ohrid last October took Alex to their hearts and were deeply shocked at his sudden death. The warmth and high regard in which Alex was held was evident, not just in my meetings with the leaders of North Macedonia but in the many conversations which took place during the Forum.
"The announcement by former President Ivanov of an award, to be presented by "The School for Young Leaders", which he founded, to commemorate Alex and to honour his memory is a measure of the high esteem in which Alex was held on the international stage. Future generations of leaders will now be able to benefit from this award and Alex would have been absolutely delighted at an initiative such as this, which is designed to encourage young people's participation in public life.
"I presented tartan throws to both the current and past Presidents who were thrilled to receive them and to hear the story of Scotland's historic struggle for Independence which the tartan throw represents. The throw is intended to signify the warmth of feeling and the special relationship Alex struck up with the North Macedonians and their reciprocity in their respect of him.
"This was not an easy trip to make, evoking as it did, memories of Alex's sudden passing, but it is a source of great comfort to everyone who knew Alex to know that he is missed as much abroad as he is at home and to know that his memory is being honoured through this award by 'The School for Young Leaders'."
