THE Alba Party have opened an online book of condolence for Alex Salmond.

It comes as preparations get underway for the repatriation of his body from North Macedonia, where the former first minister passed away on Saturday aged 69.

Alba said the online book will be open to all and the messages would be passed to Salmond’s family at a later date.

A party spokesperson said: “We continue to receive messages from across Scotland and the world from people mourning the loss of the former first minister and our party leader.

“We hope this will allow them to in their own words express their personal condolences.”

READ MORE: Alex Salmond’s cause of death confirmed as heart attack

Officials in North Macedonia, where Salmond had been giving a speech at the weekend before suffering a fatal heart attack, have said the former first minister’s body is ready to be returned to Scotland.

It is understood that the Scottish and UK governments are working together to repatriate the body, with the general secretary of Alba Chris McEleny travelling to Ohrid to assist.

 The Scottish Government said: "The Scottish Government has been in regular dialogue with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office since Saturday to ensure consular support is in place for the family and around the repatriation of the former first minister."

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are providing consular support to the family of Alex Salmond following his death in North Macedonia, and are in contact with the local authorities and Scottish Government.”

You can sign Alba's online book of condolence here.