Alex Salmond’s body returns home

Alex Salmond’s body has returned home to Scotland.  

The private charter flight landed in Aberdeen at 2pm after he suffered a heart attack and died shortly after giving a speech in Ohrid, North Macedonia on Saturday.  

His body left the Balkan country shortly after 10am today, draped in a Saltire by Alba Party chairwoman Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh. 

Salmond’s body was carried along a red carpet by six members of the North Macedonian military to the flight. 

Soldiers, as well as ground and flight crew also observed a moments silence before Salmond’s body was loaded onto the aircraft.   

A lone piper played as his body was transferred into a hearse. 

Salmond’s coffin was received by his family and acting Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill. It will be taken to his home in Strichen, Aberdeenshire. 

It is understood a small family funeral will be held in the north east, followed by a larger memorial in Edinburgh. 

Ahmed-Sheikh posted to X: “Scotland’s son, hero and true patriot, Alex Salmond, is on his way home.”  

She expressed her thanks to North Macedonia and Scottish billionaire Sir Tom Hunter for “their kindness, generosity and respect”.  

Hunter was revealed as the private individual that paid for Salmond’s body to be repatriated by a private charter earlier this week.  

MacAskill said: “The family are incredibly grateful for the support which is being provided by a private citizen to charter a private plane to allow Alex’s body to come home to Scotland. 

“It brings a great deal of comfort to Moira and other members of the family to know that he will soon be home with them. 

“The family have asked that their privacy be respected at this time and will be making an announcement in due course about the funeral arrangements and a memorial service to honour the life of Alex Salmond.” 

A spokesperson for Downing Street said: “The Prime Minister’s thoughts are with his friends and family today.” 

The spokesperson also urged people to respect the family’s calls for privacy.