Nicola Sturgeon has taken over the leadership of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and will become Scotland's new first minister next week. Alex Salmond, speaking at the conference, received a standing ovation.
John Swinney, the Scottish Finance Secretary, has said it has 'been a joy' to sit at Alex Salmond's side.
In a speech at the SNP conference in Perth, Alex Salmond said that the Finance Secretary was 'Scotland's Merlin'.
Nicola Sturgeon has been confirmed as the SNP leader and says she will keep making the case for independence.
As Alex Salmond steps down as First Minister next week, we look at some of the key dates in his career.