Mr Salmond will contest the Gordon seat held by retiring Lib Dem MP Sir Malcolm Bruce, an MP since 1983 who won the Gordon seat in 2010 with a convincing majority over an SNP candidate.
Reacting to the news of Salmond’s intentions Mr Bruce said: "People in Gordon rejected the first minister's independence plans overwhelmingly at the referendum. I am sure that they would be delighted to have the chance to reject him again in May. Bring it on."
However, after the September defeat the pro-independence campaign in Scotland only appeared to have gathered momentum so watchers believe Mr Salmond’s chances in the Gordon seat are very credible.
Speculation has been intense of Salmond’s bid for Westminster ever since his resignation on the heels of the referendum defeat.
He currently represents the constituency of Aberdeenshire East in the Scottish Parliament. It is understood he will continue in that role.
Salmond also indicated that in the event of his win in May he is not going to vie for the post of the SNP faction leader at Westminster.
"I have been first minister of Scotland. I have no interest in titles and fully support Angus Robertson who is an excellent leader of the SNP at Westminster, a close friend and a fine MP.
"I am perfectly content as a constituency member of parliament and will seek to have a role in negotiating the progress for Scotland which would arise from a powerful group of SNP MPs and our allies,” said the former First Minister.
Putin 'More Effective'
Alex Salmond caused quite a controversy in Britain in March 2014 when he revealed his admiration for "certain aspects" of Vladimir Putin's leadership and praised the way Russia's national pride has been restored.
The then Scotland’s First Minister said it was a "good thing" confidence had returned to Russia and called president Putin "more effective" than the media gave him credit for and he could "see why he carries support in Russia".
Salmon’s remarks were made on the eve of the referendum in Crimea in which the vast majority of the voters opted for breaking away from Ukraine and joining Russia.
More recently, after the September referendum in Scotland Alex Salmond said he could envisage an independent Scotland in his lifetime, and that it may happen sooner than many people think.
