Alex Salmond’s coffin arrives back in Scotland

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Alex Salmond’s coffin arrives back in Scotland

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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,

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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 ******** will be held on a date that has not yet been confirmed.

A public memorial will follow at a later date.

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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 ******* during lunch with other delegates.

Paramedics were called and attempts were made to revive him using CPR, but *******. He ***** age 69.

His wife Moira, his sisters Margaret and Gail, his brother Bob and his nieces and nephews released a statement after his ****** which praised him as “a devoted and loving husband, a fiercely loyal brother, a proud and thoughtful uncle and a faithful and trusted friend”.

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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 ******** 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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