Alex Salmond’s coffin arrives back in Scotland
PA Media
Family and friends gathered on the runway as the coffin was taken from the plane
The body of Alex Salmond, Scotland’s former first minister, has arrived back in Scotland on a plane which landed at Aberdeen Airport.
His coffin, flown from North Macedonia, was greeted by members of his family, new Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill and a lone piper.
It was placed in a hearse before a cortège started the journey to Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire.
The private plane, paid for by Scottish businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter, landed just before 14:00.
A small group of people with saltire flags had gathered near the terminal building ahead of the flight’s arrival.
A group of Scottish independence supporting ‘Yes Bikers’ led the cortège.
Watch: Alex Salmond’s coffin being flown home to Scotland
Before being placed on the aircraft, Mr Salmond’s coffin was draped in a saltire by Alba party colleague Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh.
The coffin was given a guard of honour and carried by members of the Macedonian military.
A group of delegates including Ahmed-Sheikh looked on as the flight took off from Ohrid airport.
A private family funeral will be held on a date that has not yet been confirmed.
A public memorial will follow at a later date.
PA Media
The plane carrying Alex Salmond’s body landed at Aberdeen airport just before 14:00
Mr Salmond was at an Academy for Cultural Diplomacy conference in North Macedonia on Saturday when he had a heart attack during lunch with other delegates.
Paramedics were called and attempts were made to revive him using CPR, but failed. He died age 69.
His wife Moira, his sisters Margaret and Gail, his brother Bob and his nieces and nephews released a statement after his death which praised him as “a devoted and loving husband, a fiercely loyal brother, a proud and thoughtful uncle and a faithful and trusted friend”.
A group of Yes bikers led the cortège as it headed for Fraserburgh
MacAskill said the North Macedonian government had paid Mr Salmond a fitting tribute as he made his final journey home.
Earlier this week he said the Salmond family had asked that their privacy be respected and that they would announce funeral arrangements and details of a memorial service in due course.
Sir Tom, whose business was once valued at more than £1bn, said he was apolitical and disagreed with Salmond on some of his ambitions, but that he “deserved the dignity and privacy of a private return” home given he devoted his life to Scotland.
First Minister John Swinney has lodged a motion of condolence at Holyrood, while books of condolence have been opened in the Scottish Parliament for MSPs and members of the public to leave messages.
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