On his penultimate day in office, Scotland’s First Minister unveiled the commemorative stone at Heriot-Watt University inscribed with his March 2011 statement on university costs: “The rocks will melt with the sun before I allow tuition fees to be imposed on Scottish students.”

Weighing nearly a tonne, the stone was carved and designed by stonemasonry apprentices at Historic Scotland’s National Conservation Centre in Elgin.

Mr Salmond, who is standing down after seven and a half years in office, described the abolition of tuition fees as his government’s “single biggest achievement”.

“It is without doubt now a commitment writ in stane,” said Mr Salmond, who added that it was “fitting and humbling” to have the “wonderful” monument created by apprentices.

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But Liz Smith, the Scottish Conservatives’ young people spokeswoman, claimed that free tuition had “done nothing to widen access” and instead placed pressure on universities to recruit fee-paying students from elsewhere, “freezing out” Scottish learners.

“That’s hardly a legacy worth celebrating,” said Ms Smith.

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Apprentices Gregor Alcorn and Ross Kennedy spent four days carving the stone and another two colouring the lettering.

Steve Chapman, Heriot-Watt’s principal, said: “We are delighted to host this stone, a beautifully crafted piece and a monument to Alex Salmond’s tenure as First Minister and his strongly held commitment to access to education for Scottish students.”  

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com