The body of former first minister Alex Salmond has left North Macedonia on a private chartered flight, almost one week on from his death.
A ceremony was held at Ohrid Airport prior to the departure of the private flight, which was personally paid for by Scottish businessman Sir Tom Hunter.
A North Macedonian military guard carried Mr Salmond’s coffin, which was draped in a Saltire, to the plane.
It left the country at around 11.25am local time and is expected to land at Aberdeen Airport around 2pm BST on Friday.
Mr Salmond’s family, along with Alba Party acting leader Kenny MacAskill, will be at Aberdeen Airport to receive the coffin, which will then be taken by hearse to the family home.
The flight left North Macedonia almost a week after the former first minister suffered a massive heart attack while taking part in a youth cultural and diplomatic event in the city of Ohrid.
STV NewsMr Salmond was having lunch with other delegates, including Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, chair of the Alba Party, when he suddenly fell back in his chair.
Emergency services were called and CPR was carried out, however Mr Salmond passed away.
Veteran Tory David Davis, who was a friend of the Alba Party leader, had led calls for the RAF to step in to repatriate Salmond’s body, with discussions taking place between the Scottish and UK governments.
However, on Wednesday, Sir Tom personally funded the repatriation of Mr Salmond’s body to Scotland.
Sir Tom said: “Whilst he and I disagreed on some of his ambitions, Alex Salmond devoted his life to Scotland and the Scottish people and as such he, and importantly his family, deserved the dignity and privacy of a private return to the home of his birth.”
The former first minister’s passing will be marked by a private family funeral in the coming days.
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