ALEX Salmond arrived back in Scotland to be driven to Fraserburgh in a convoy led by members of the independence group Yes Bikers.
Dozens of cars waving Saltires also joined the procession for the former first minister's final journey home.
The former first minister’s family, including his wife Moira and acting Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill, had greeted the coffin at Aberdeen Airport as a piper played Freedom Come All Ye.
The cortege will travel to Aberdeenshire to Salmond’s family home.
The former SNP leader, who led the Scottish Government from 2007 until 2014, died aged 69 while attending a conference in the city of Ohrid in North Macedonia.
His death shocked the political world in the UK, and tributes poured in from the Prime Minister, the King and leading politicians.
First Minister John Swinney said his former colleague – who later left the SNP and founded the Alba Party – inspired a generation to believe in independence.
As he left North Macedonia, Salmond’s body was carried by six members of the nation’s military to the flight along a red carpet that was flanked by eight other soldiers standing at attention to the sound of a trumpet.
The soldiers, flight and ground crew observed a moment’s silence before Salmond’s body was loaded onto the flight.
Plans are being put in place for a private family funeral along with a more public memorial service.
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