The physique of Alex Salmond, Scotland’s former first minister, has arrived again in Scotland on a airplane which landed at Aberdeen Airport.

His coffin, flown from North Macedonia, was greeted by members of his household, new Alba Social gathering chief Kenny MacAskill and a lone piper.

It was positioned in a hearse earlier than a cortège began the journey to Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire.

The non-public airplane, paid for by Scottish businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter, landed simply earlier than 14:00.

Mr Salmond’s spouse Moira was sat inside a funeral automobile through the brief ceremony on the airport.

A small group of individuals with saltire flags had gathered close to the terminal constructing forward of the flight’s arrival.

A gaggle of Scottish independence supporting ‘Sure Bikers’ led the cortège to a funeral dwelling in Fraserburgh.

A non-public household service can be held on a date that has not but been confirmed. A public memorial will comply with at a later date.

Earlier than being positioned on the plane, Mr Salmond’s coffin had been draped in a Saltire by Alba get together colleague Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh.

The coffin was given a guard of honour and carried by members of the Macedonian army.

A gaggle of delegates together with Ahmed-Sheikh appeared on because the flight took off from Ohrid airport.

Mr Salmond had been at an Academy for Cultural Diplomacy convention in North Macedonia on Saturday when he had a coronary heart assault throughout lunch with different delegates.

Paramedics had been known as and makes an attempt had been made to revive him utilizing CPR, however failed. He died age 69.

His spouse Moira, his sisters Margaret and Gail, his brother Bob and his nieces and nephews launched an announcement after his dying which praised him as “a faithful and loving husband, a fiercely loyal brother, a proud and considerate uncle and a devoted and trusted good friend”.

Kenny MacAskill stated the North Macedonian authorities had paid Mr Salmond a becoming tribute as he made his last journey dwelling.

He spoke to a small crowd of well-wishers in Fraserburgh who turned out to see the coffin arrive.

Earlier this week he stated the Salmond household had requested that their privateness be revered and that they might announce funeral preparations and particulars of a memorial service sooner or later.

First Minister John Swinney has lodged a movement of condolence at Holyrood, whereas books of condolence have been opened within the Scottish Parliament for MSPs and members of the general public to depart messages.

Businessman Sir Tom Hunter, stated he was apolitical and disagreed with Salmond on a few of his ambitions, however stated he funded the flight as a result of he “deserved the dignity and privateness” of a non-public return dwelling.

A coffin draped within the Saltire. Not for the return of a prince, a president or a first-rate minister.

It was not the stays of a fallen soldier introduced dwelling to Scotland at present.

This was the repatriation of a political fighter and former first minister — maybe essentially the most formidable champion of Scottish independence in current instances.

Because the coffin bearing Alex Salmond’s physique was flown dwelling by constitution airplane from North Macedonia – there have been hints of a state event.

The honour guard and the purple carpet on departure, the piper on arrival at Aberdeen.

However Mr Salmond was a non-public citizen. His flight dwelling a present from the businessman, Sir Tom Hunter. This was principally a household reunion to which the TV cameras had been permitted.

The previous first minister didn’t reside to see his dream of Scottish statehood. The referendum, a decade in the past, was the height of his political profession.

The independence query he did a lot to animate could or will not be revisited in future however along with his passing, it’s now for others to hold that torch.