First Minister Alex Salmond has used his Christmas message to highlight the values held by David Livingstone, as people around the world prepare to celebrate the bicentenary of the explorer and humanitarian’s birth in March next year.
Speaking at the Livingstone exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland, the First Minister said it was important at this time of year to care about those who may be facing hardship, loneliness or illness – much as Livingstone had done throughout his extraordinary career.
Mr Salmond said Livingstone’s “deep sense of compassion” and “strong sense of solidarity”, which Scotland still shares, were important ideals that we should all consider at Christmas time, in a message that also praised the explorer’s enduring legacy, through Scotland’s strong ties with Malawi.
The First Minister also used the message to pay tribute to those working in our armed forces and emergency services, for whom the festive season does not offer a holiday. He said their service “was appreciated all year round, but is especially valued at Christmas”.
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