THE former first minister of Scotland died without leaving a will, according to reports.
Alex Salmond died aged 69 following a suspected heart attack after making a speech in North Macedonia last year. His death came unexpectedly.
Now, his wife of more than four decades, Moira McGlashan, is said to be left without a will.
A source close to the Salmond family has told The Times there is concern about the impact on the late SNP leader’s 87-year-old widow, adding: “There was shock among the family when it became clear that Alex hadn’t left a will."
While details of Salmond's full estate are unclear, the couple, who did not have any children, owned their home in Aberdeenshire.
He also had five separate pensions which covered his work as a civil servant, an Royal Bank of Scotland economist as well as an MP and MSP.
Salmond and Alba chair Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh also co-owned Slainte Media which filings in February 2023 show there was £310,786 in “shareholder funds”.
A source said: “You might expect someone approaching 70 to have their affairs in order but it shows how focused on the future Alex was.
“Luckily they are a close family because there would be no surprise if there was a fight over the inheritance — especially when his nieces and nephews won’t be entitled to anything but really might have expected to be left at least a minding if there was a will.”
An Alba party figure said: “The family are sorting things out. You don’t have to have a will in Scotland.”
What happens when someone dies in Scotland without a will?
If someone in Scotland dies without a will, their spouse can inherit up to £473,000 from the value of the house, £29,000 worth of furniture and up to £89,000 in cash as part of “prior rights”.
Their spouse is also eligible to receive another further 50% of assets under “legal rights”.
Any remaining money falls under the “free estate”, and is then shared among the deceased’s siblings. A recent change in Scots law priorities spouses over siblings.
