THE coffin of Alex Salmond has been put on a plane in North Macedonia, with a guard of honour overseeing the start of his journey.
Footage from the scene showed the former first minister's coffin being carried on to the private plane with a Saltire draped over it. The North Macedonian government had organised the guard of honour for his departure.
READ MORE: Live updates as Alex Salmond repatriated to Scotland
His party Alba shared footage, writing: "A Scottish patriot, Alba party leader and former first minister.
"Alex Salmond begins his journey home from North Macedonia."
Tom Hunter had been revealed as the private donor paying to repatriate the body as he said the former first minister and his family deserved the “dignity” of a private return home.
Salmond died aged 69 after suffering a heart attack in the city of Ohrid on Saturday, where he was attending a conference.
Scottish independence campaign group All Under One Banner (AUOB) said Salmond’s wife Moira has now invited anyone wishing to welcome her late husband home to “join him on one last journey”.
It is understood that a cortege will leave Aberdeen Airport at around 1:45pm and will be led by a group of Yes Bikers and that people have been invited to join the convoy to pay their respects.
The procession is to end at Fraserburgh and people who do not have a car are urged to stand along the route and wave a flag.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel