Scotland’s First Tipster Alex Salmond is giving up the day job, The Courier can exclusively reveal.
But just for one day, and only to help support the inaugural Prince’s Charities in Scotland Race Day at Perth racecourse on August 20.
At a reception held by the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Mr Salmond gave a light-hearted speech, which was a winner with guests.
He revealed to guests that among the “many enormous sacrifices” he had made for his country was having to give up being Scotland’s most successful racing tipster.
He said, “So I have undertaken, for one day on August 20, to make a comeback.
“Do not necessarily back all my tips, but if you do and it doesn’t turn out as it should, I hope kindness and human forgiveness will prevail.
“I had to give up being a tipster as first minister. You can survive a lot of thing in politics the occasional mishap, the very occasional broken promise but if you tip losers on a Saturday…”
He thanked all those who had backed the event, which he called Royal Perth, which would in turn help the prince’s charities.
He applauded the Duke of Rothesay’s long-established charities and in particular he was keen to learn of one helping the over-50s set up in business.
“I was recently undergoing seven weeks of negotiation with my employers to retain my job and as I was moving through that it was great comfort to know plan B was available in case things didn’t work out as they should have done,” he said.’Remarkable idea’Prince Charles, accompanied by his wife Camilla, said he was grateful to Mr Salmond for having thought of what he called “this remarkable idea.”
Guests revealed the idea had been hatched at a barbecue at the Queen’s summer retreat in Balmoral.
One said of Mr Salmond, “I did not unfortunately benefit from his tips in the past but on the day I will study with great interest his recommendations to see if he is correct or not.”
Prince Charles, who recounted his own short-lived career as a national hunt jockey, said, “For me and my darling wife there is great joy of having a day of national hunt racing.
“In a small way I know what’s involved in riding in the races it was the most exciting thing I have ever done in my life. It’s unbelievably rewarding when you get round.
“We are looking forward enormously to this day and are hugely grateful to all of you here today to help support the idea of my charity and what we are trying to do here in Scotland.
“We cannot do anything without people like you and your support. I am enormously grateful to the First Minister for having thought this up and look forward to seeing all of you.”
The Courier, along with Scottish Hydro, is sponsoring the event, which will be one of the biggest yet held at the venue.
It will feature the most lucrative race in the course’s history the £40,000 Scottish Hydro Summer Champion Hurdle.
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Up to 15,000 race-goers are anticipated that weekend and it is hoped £200,000 can be raised for the prince’s charities and the local economy will benefit by as much as £2 million.
Sam Morshead, the general manager of Perth Racecourse, said the day would be a fantastic occasion.
“Launching this charity day for the Prince’s Charities in Scotland is obviously very exciting,” he said. “I am delighted with all the support it has already attracted and grateful to sponsors.”
Perth’s provost John Hulbert said it was “tremendous” to have the royal races, and it built on the duke’s support for Perth 800.
“This race event is a very big thing for Perth, and we are hopeful the prince will come,” he added.
Stagecoach chief executive Brian Souter was also delighted to back the event, which he said would put Perth on the map. “It’s good to have a ‘first’ happening in Perth this is a really positive and exciting development,” he added.
Earlier, the duke opened Scotland’s newest hospice for cancer patients. Charles met patients, volunteers and staff at the Marie Curie Cancer Care Hospice in Glasgow.
He was shown around the hospice’s facilities, including the physiotherapy rehabilitation room.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Rothesay visited a major art project in Edinburgh.
Featuring a brightly coloured menagerie of around 120 “creatures” painted by artists and celebrities from across Britain, the Jungle City project takes up residence around the capital in the summer.
The royal couple hosted a night reception for the newly-elected members of the Scottish Parliament.
The event was held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, with Charles and Camilla meeting the Parliament’s presiding officer, Tricia Marwick, and her deputies alongside the party leaders, before mingling with around 130 guests.
Up to 15,000 race-goers are anticipated that weekend and it is hoped £200,000 can be raised for the prince’s charities and the local economy will benefit by as much as £2 million.
Sam Morshead, the general manager of Perth Racecourse, said the day would be a fantastic occasion.
“Launching this charity day for the Prince’s Charities in Scotland is obviously very exciting,” he said. “I am delighted with all the support it has already attracted and grateful to sponsors.”
Perth’s provost John Hulbert said it was “tremendous” to have the royal races, and it built on the duke’s support for Perth 800.
“This race event is a very big thing for Perth, and we are hopeful the prince will come,” he added.
Stagecoach chief executive Brian Souter was also delighted to back the event, which he said would put Perth on the map. “It’s good to have a ‘first’ happening in Perth this is a really positive and exciting development,” he added.
Earlier, the duke opened Scotland’s newest hospice for cancer patients. Charles met patients, volunteers and staff at the Marie Curie Cancer Care Hospice in Glasgow.
He was shown around the hospice’s facilities, including the physiotherapy rehabilitation room.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Rothesay visited a major art project in Edinburgh.
Featuring a brightly coloured menagerie of around 120 “creatures” painted by artists and celebrities from across Britain, the Jungle City project takes up residence around the capital in the summer.
The royal couple hosted a night reception for the newly-elected members of the Scottish Parliament.
The event was held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, with Charles and Camilla meeting the Parliament’s presiding officer, Tricia Marwick, and her deputies alongside the party leaders, before mingling with around 130 guests.