The body of Alex Salmond has arrived back in Scotland on a flight from North Macedonia
Friends and family, including Salmond's sisters and Alba colleague Kenny MacAskill, stood guard as his body arrived in Aberdeen
The coffin was placed in a hearse before the cortege began its journey to Fraserburgh
Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, Salmond’s close friend and Alba Party colleague, had draped a Saltire over his coffin before Macedonian soldiers carried it to the aircraft at Ohrid Airport to begin its journey
The former first minister of Scotland died during a conference in the Balkan country last Saturday
Businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter paid for the plane that took Salmond's body home
A private family funeral will be held, followed by a public memorial event at a later date
Watch: Alex Salmond’s coffin being flown home to Scotland
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The writers today were Craig Hutchison and Paul Hastie, with Morgan Spence reporting from North Macedonia. Paul McLaren was the editor.
Alex Salmond has been repatriated to Scotland - here's how his journey home took place today.
In case you missed it, here's a clip of the Scottish independence-supporting Yes Bikers leading the Salmond cortege away from the airport with Saltires billowing in the wind.
Andrew Kerr
BBC Scotland political correspondent at Aberdeen Airport
The funeral cortège left the airport apron led by a security car with its amber beacon flashing.
The hearse and family funeral car had their warning lights on.
The procession wheeled round the back of the airport and left by one of the side gates.
The Yes Bikers had gathered as an escort and led the way.
The hearse and rest of the procession followed. The Saltire was draped over the coffin in the hearse as Alex Salmond departed Aberdeen Airport for the final time.
Friends and family of Salmond were in cars following the official cars out of the airport.
Some of those vehicles also had Saltires attached.
Image source, BBC NewsThe Yes Bikers group roars away from Aberdeen Airport, with Saltires flying in the wind.
Salmond's hearse and other funeral cars follow closely behind.
Ben Philip
BBC Scotland at Aberdeen Airport
A group of Scottish independence supporters from the Yes Bikers group have gathered near Aberdeen International Airport to lead the cortège to Fraserburgh.
A small group of people with Saltire flags have gathered near the terminal building waiting to welcome home the body of Mr Salmond for the very last time.
The cortege, escorted by an airport car, now slowly makes its way out of Aberdeen Airport.
Image source, BBC NewsFamily and friends of Alex Salmond, including Alba colleague Kenny MacAskill, stood in a silent guard of honour for the former first minister.
Once the coffin is loaded into the hearse by the funeral director, the friends and family get into a black car.
The cortege begins the trip to Fraserburgh, where the funeral directors are based.
Andrew Kerr
BBC Scotland political correspondent at Aberdeen Airport
The aircraft parked near the tower at Aberdeen Airport and Alex Salmon’s coffin was disembarked.
The hearse and family funeral car waited nearby on the apron.
Mr Salmond’s widow, Moira, is among the mourners gathered for the arrival.
Over the roar of aircraft engines a piper played “Freedom come all ye”.
The piper is Connor Sinclair, originally from Crieff.
Mr Salmond appointed him as an “official piper” to the First Minister during his time in office.
Alex Salmond's coffin is unloaded from the plane, still wrapped in the Saltire.
The flag is billowing in the wind as the funeral directors place the coffin in the hearse.
Image source, BBC News
Image source, BBC News
Image source, BBC News
Image source, BBC NewsA lone piper plays on the runway of Aberdeen Airport, while Kenny MacAskill and friends and family stand in silence as the coffin is prepared to be unloaded.
Alex Salmond's long-time friend and Alba colleague Kenny MacAskill is on the runway as the piper begins to play.
Family and friends of Salmond stand by his side.
Andrew Kerr
BBC Scotland political correspondent at Aberdeen Airport
It was touchdown at 13:55 after the flight from North Macedonia.
The Embraer jet had tracked up the north-east coast and then approached south of Aberdeen.
There was surprise among the journalists tracking the flight that it then came up over the north-east and flew in the shape of a heart - which showed up on the flight tracking apps.
The jet will now taxi to beside the air traffic control tower where the coffin will be removed as the Salmond family and friends watch.
A piper will play “Freedom come all ye”.
Image source, BBC NewsGround crew have arrived in two black vans to unload Salmond's coffin from the private jet.
A hearse and other funeral cars have also arrived on the runway.
Image source, BBC NewsThe private jet carrying Alex Salmond's body has just landed at Aberdeen Airport.
Image source, Getty ImagesAlex Salmond pictured with his wife Moira
As we've been reporting, members of the Salmond family - including the former first minister's widow Moira - will greet the coffin on its arrival at Aberdeen Airport before the cortege departs to the family home in Strichen.
The former SNP leader's funeral will be a private family affair, followed by a public memorial event at a later date.