Alex Salmond's friends and family have arrived at Aberdeen Airport and gone airside. A hearse has also arrived and it too is in place and awaiting the arrival of the plane carrying the coffin.

The coffin will be taken off the private jet to the sound of a lone piper playing Freedom Come All Ye, which was a favourite of the former first minister.

Alba colleagues of Salmond have also gathered at the airport, including his long-term friend and colleague Kenny MacAskill.

Image source, BBC News

Salmond’s friend Jim Eadie is at Aberdeen Airport and says it is a “sad day for Scotland and a sad day for the family”.

But he adds: "I think they will be relieved that he has returned home to Aberdeenshire and been reunited with his loved ones.

“And that he is back in Scotland - the country that he led, among the people that he loved.”

Eadie is among the Alba party representatives awaiting the arrival of Salmond’s body at the airport.

He said the family was touched by the “dignified and respectful send-off” that Salmond received in North Macedonia.

Andrew Kerr
BBC Scotland political correspondent at Aberdeen Airport

The roar of a twin-prop aircraft blasts over the multi-storey car park where journalists are gathering.

Camera crews have gathered at the top level opposite the Aberdeen Airport terminal building in preparation for the arrival of the flight carrying Alex Salmond’s body.

It was bright and sunny but it’s more changeable now and windy here on the top deck.

Strong winds over London are said to have given the aircraft from Ohrid an earlier arrival time of around 13:50.

The Embraer jet is said to be coming in from the north - although that can change depending on the wind direction.

As we get ready for the arrival of the jet carrying Alex Salmond's coffin, let's have a recap of today's events so far:

• The body of Alex Salmond is being returned to Scotland by private jet from North Macedonia, due around 13:50
• The plane took off off from Ohrid Airport at 10:35 this morning
• Salmond's close friend and Alba Party colleague Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh draped a Saltire over his coffin
• She was joined by her husband Zulifkar, as well as the British Ambassador to North Macedonia Matthew Lawson and Gjorge Ivanov former president of North Macdonia
• Soldiers from the North Macedonian army formed a guard of honour as the coffin was loaded on to the plane, with the accompaniment of a single trumpeter
• The coffin was carried on a red carpet to the plane
• The former first minister of Scotland died during a conference in the Balkan country last Saturday
• Businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter has paid for the plane that is bringing Salmond's body home
• Family and friends of the former first minister will receive the coffin
• A private family funeral is to be held, followed by a public memorial event at a later date

Stick with us for updates from Aberdeen Airport and analysis.

Andrew Kerr
BBC Scotland political correspondent at Aberdeen Airport

It’s a bright, sunny day here at Aberdeen Airport.

These are ideal flying conditions for the repatriation of Alex Salmond’s body with journalists and camera crews afforded a clear view long into the distance.

Reporters are gathered on the top floor of the multi-storey car park opposite the terminal building as we await the arrival of the Embraer jet carrying the coffin.

It’s noisy as it’s a busy heliport too - with helicopters serving the North Sea rigs arriving and departing.

Alex Salmond spent a total of 25 years as an MP at Westminster and used this airport to fly up and down to London.

This is his final journey back to Aberdeen and the north east, the place he made his political home after winning the Banff & Buchan seat in 1987.

We're resuming our live coverage of the return of Alex Salmond's body to Scotland as the focus switches to Aberdeen Airport.

Earlier today, the former first minister's coffin received a military guard of honour before being flown out of North Macedonia.

Salmond died during a conference in the Balkan country last weekend.

The private plane bringing his body home - which has been paid for by businessman Sir Tom Hunter - is now expected to touch down in Aberdeen at the earlier time of 13:50.

Stick with us here for all the developments.

We're now pausing our live coverage as the flight carrying the coffin of former First Minister Alex Salmond heads for Aberdeen.

It is expected to touch down at about 14:00 and we will return in plenty of time to keep you up to date with developments and reaction.

The flight bringing Alex Salmond's coffin to Scotland is currently the number one most-tracked flight on FlightRadar24.

It is expected to arrive at Aberdeen Airport at shortly after 14:00 BST.

Image source, FlightRadar24

Morgan Spence
BBC Scotland at Ohrid Airport in North Macedonia

The plane carrying Alex Salmond's body has now left Macedonian airspace and is on its way to Aberdeen.

We watched as a military guard of honour stood over the former first minister's coffin before it was loaded on to the Embraer Legacy aircraft.

The emotion on the faces of those gathered here was clear to see

Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, one of Mr Salmond’s closest friends and advisers was understandably visibly upset – she was with Alex when he collapsed at the hotel.

Her husband Zulfikar stood by her side, clutching a small Saltire flag. They along with other staff members from the Alba Party have been working closely with the authorities in North Macedonia to organise today’s ceremony.

As the cargo hold door was closed, the pilot started the engines and the jet taxied to the runway, before taking off over the picturesque Ohrid lake.

The airport has now fallen quiet as those attending the event begin to leave after a sombre, poignant morning.

If you're just joining us, here are the key moments from this morning's events.

• The body of Alex Salmond is being returned to Scotland by private jet from North Macedonia
• The plane has just taken off from Ohrid Airport
• Salmond's close friend and Alba Party colleague Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh draped a Saltire over his coffin
• She was joined by her husband Zulifkar, as well as the British Ambassador to North Macedonia Matthew Lawson and Gjorge Ivanov former president of North Macdonia
• Soldiers from the North Macedonian army formed a guard of honour as the coffin was loaded on to the plane, with the accompaniment of a single trumpeter
• The coffin was carried on a red carpet to the plane
• The flight from Ohrid Airport is expected to arrive at Aberdeen Airport at about 14:00 BST
• The former first minister of Scotland died during a conference in the Balkan country last Saturday
• Businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter has paid for the plane that is bringing Salmond's body home
• A private family funeral is to be held, followed by a public memorial event at a later date

Image source, BBC News

And Alex Salmond's jet takes off.

His body has now left North Macedonian soil on its journey back to Scotland.

Image source, BBC News

Salmond's jet is taxiing along the runway now and is getting ready for take-off.

Image source, BBC News

The ground crew continue their preparations for take-off.

After the red carpet is rolled up and taken away, the door to the private jet's hold is closed, as is the pilot's door.

Technicians are removing the wheel chocks and the plane will then taxi to the runway.

Image source, BBC News

Salmond's close friend Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh is visibly upset as they await the departure of his coffin.

The flight is due to take off shortly.

Morgan Spence
BBC Scotland at Ohrid Airport in North Macedonia

There’s now a still atmosphere here on the airport apron. Members of the delegation gathered at the jet are visibly upset. The red carpet is being rolled up and the jet will then taxi to the runway.

Image source, BBC News

Morgan Spence
BBC Scotland at Ohrid Airport in North Macedonia

Image source, BBC News

The coffin has been loaded on to the plane and final preparations are being made.

Among those watching on here at the airport are Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh and her husband Zulfikar.

The British Ambassador to North Macedonia, Matthew Lawson is here too, as well as local representatives.

Gjorge Ivanov, former president of North Macedonia is also party of the group - he was part of the team that organised the conference Mr Salmond spoke at last weekend.