Taoiseach / Prime Minister of Scotland.
The present Taoiseach of Scotland is Alex Salmond, of the Peoples Party.
- Born in Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland on 31 December 1954, Salmond is the son of Robert Fyfe Findlay Salmond and the late Mary Stewart Salmond (née Milne), both of whom were civil servants. Salmond attended Linlithgow Academy and the University of St Andrews, where he graduated with an MA in Economics and History. He was first employed as an assistant economist in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland from 1978.
In 1980, he joined the Royal Bank of Scotland, for which he worked until 1987, first as an assistant economist, then as the Oil Economist and latterly as Royal Bank Economist. While with the Royal Bank, he wrote and broadcast extensively for both domestic and international outlets. He also contributed regularly to oil and energy conferences. In 1983 he devised the "Royal Bank / BBC Oil Index", which continues monthly publication to this day.
- Salmond joined the People's Party in the early 1970's rising quckly through its student body and eventually on to the National Executive Council
- Elected as the Parliamentarian for Gordon in 1979
- Elected Leader of the People's Party in 1998
- Appointed Taoiseach after the general election of May 1999
The Taoiseach is supported in their position by the privy council (cabinet) which is appointed by the Taoiseach from governement members.