THE family of Alex Salmond, colleagues and friends gathered at Aberdeen Airport as the former first minister’s body arrived back home in Scotland
Acting Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill and a piper joined members of Salmond’s family after the charter plane (below), paid for by Sir Tom Hunter, arrived from North Macedonia.
The flight arrived in Aberdeen at 1.55pm on Friday. Salmond’s coffin, draped in a saltire, was transferred into a hearse.
READ MORE: Updates as Alex Salmond repatriated to Scotland
A large cortege then left Aberdeen Airport led by a group of Yes Bikers.
Salmond’s wife Moira had previously invited anyone wishing to welcome her late husband home to “join him on one last journey” and pay their respects.
Salmond, who led Scotland from 2007 until resigning after the independence referendum in 2014, died suddenly last Saturday after suffering a heart attack at an event in Ohrid, North Macedonia.
Now, the former SNP and Alba leader has returned close to his home in Strichen, Aberdeenshire, and the seats he represented at both Westminster and Holyrood.
Plans are being put in place for a private family funeral along with a more public memorial service.
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