Gathering for Margo..

This morning in the Assembly Rooms on The Mound at Edinburgh, there was a celebration of the life of Margo McDonald. One of the very few people known simply by their first name, Margo was known the length and breadth of Scotland, and beyond, and genuinely admired, even loved, by people on all sides of the many causes she fought for.

Quite properly, there was to be no photography when the proceedings started. The empty chairs you see were for family, but when this photo was taken, a good 30 minutes before the start, many hundreds were already gathering. I was up in the balcony with lots of people just wanting to be part of this event.

Let me point out just a few of the people in the photograph.

Right at the front the blurred gentleman walking to the right is Willie Rennie MSP leader of the LibDems in the Scottish Parliament. Behind him is the SNP First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP, speaking with Wendy Alexander a former Labour Minister. To Wendy's left seated and wearing a bright red jacket is the Presiding Officer of parliament, Tricia Marwick MSP, and behind her is the Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Behind the lady with the walking stick, is a group including the Proclaimers (Charlie and Craig Reid) and Elaine C Smith the actress. Elaine was one of three wonderful speakers at the celebration, and the Proclaimers sang "Sunshine on Leith" to close the celebrations.

Not in the picture, as they had yet to arrive, were the other two speakers: Alex Neil MSP the Cabinet Secretary for Health, and Jim Sillars, Margo's husband and former MP. They did Margo proud with magnificent tributes.

There are many others I recognise, but I just want to single out a couple sitting towards the back next to a gentleman with a bright yellow jacket. They are David Thomson (with his hand to his face) and his wife, also a Margo. David has been a long standing friend and colleague of myself, Jim Sillars and Margo. I have worked in a number of countries overseas with David, and he is currently just back for a break from assignment in Pakistan.

David has been working international for over 50 years (ever since he was 21). He has worked in around 60 countries mainly as a fisheries development consultant, and often for the United Nations. One of the nicest and most able people you could hope to meet and like Margo and Jim, completely devoted to the cause of Scottish Independence.

When Jim had finished the last of the speeches in tribute to his Margo, the gathering rose in spontaneous applause.

There were lots of smiles, lots of laughs, and lots to think about this morning. I'll never forget today, just as I'll never forget Margo.