Mr. Salmond had led the Scottish National Party twice, guiding it from a fringe political group into a powerful electoral force in Britain.

Alex Salmond, who has died at the age of 69, was the central figure in the rise of modern Scottish nationalism, a political heavyweight who as leader of his ancient nation sent tremors through the constitutional foundations of the United Kingdom.

Alex Salmond, former Scottish first minister, who reshaped Scottish politics and led Scotland to the brink of independence from the UK, died on Saturday at the age of 69. He headed the devolved Scottish government for seven years from 2007.