Watch: Saltire is draped over Alex Salmond's coffinpublished at 10:00 British Summer Time 18 October 2024
Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh drapes a Saltire on Alex Salmond's coffin
Summary
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
Watch: Saltire is draped over Alex Salmond's coffinpublished at 10:00 British Summer Time 18 October 2024
Media caption, Alex Salmond's coffin is loaded on to the private jetpublished at 09:58 British Summer Time 18 October 2024
Image source, BBC NewsThe final stages of this part of the small ceremony are taking place, with the coffin being taken on to the plane.
Coffin makes its way to the planepublished at 09:54 British Summer Time 18 October 2024
Image source, BBC NewsThe military guards are now carrying Alex Salmond's coffin to the plane. It will shortly be put on board ahead of the flight to Aberdeen.
Salmond's coffin draped with Saltirepublished at 09:53 British Summer Time 18 October 2024
Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, Salmond’s close friend and Alba Party colleague, holds the Saltire which she drapes over his coffin.
A trumpet solo is played as the coffin is lifted by military guards.
Military guard of honour stands readypublished at 09:48 British Summer Time 18 October 2024
The military guard of honour stands ready to receive Mr Salmond’s coffin.
It will be loaded onto the waiting charter aircraft, which is expected to take off in less than half an hour.
Airport staff prepare for the coffin's arrivalpublished at 09:44 British Summer Time 18 October 2024
Morgan Spence
BBC Scotland at Ohrid Airport in North Macedonia
Image source, BBC NewsThe coffin is being transported by road and will shortly arrive through these gates. A Saltire will be laid before the soldiers carry it onto the waiting aircraft.
Take-off expected in about 30 minutespublished at 09:39 British Summer Time 18 October 2024
Morgan Spence
BBC Scotland at Ohrid Airport in North Macedonia
Image source, BBC NewsThe aircraft in front of me - which was paid for by businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter - is expected to take off in approximately 30 minutes.
It will then fly directly to Aberdeen where we expect the coffin to be greeted by members of Alex Salmond’s family. We’ll keep you updated on the latest developments.
Last-minute preparations for arrival of Salmond's coffinpublished at 09:33 British Summer Time 18 October 2024
Morgan Spence
BBC Scotland at Ohrid Airport in North Macedonia
The North Macedonian soldiers on the airport apron are performing last-minute rehearsals. And the red carpet is being meticulously brushed. We expect the coffin to arrive here soon.
Image source, BBC NewsWhy was Alex Salmond in North Macedonia?published at 09:28 British Summer Time 18 October 2024
Image caption, The Inex Olgica hotel in Ohrid where Salmond died
Alex Salmond had been attending a conference at the Inex Olgica hotel in Ohrid, which was attended by dozens of young leaders and delegates from across the world.
He arrived at the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy event last Thursday and delivered a speech on Friday.
But after attending a panel event on Saturday he collapsed during lunch and was pronounced dead at 15:30 local time.
The conference was immediately cancelled. Delegates gathered a few hours later for a tribute event for Salmond.
Alex Salmond's coffin arrives at Ohrid Airportpublished at 09:22 British Summer Time 18 October 2024
Morgan Spence
BBC Scotland at Ohrid Airport in North Macedonia
Image caption, The military guard of honour at Ohrid Airport rehearses.
This morning I travelled in convoy with a government car carrying Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, Salmond’s close friend and Alba Party colleague.
We’ve arrived at Ohrid Airport, about a 20-minute drive from the hotel where Mr Salmond died suddenly last weekend.
Ms Ahmed-Sheikh will later place a Saltire on the coffin before it is loaded onto the charter aircraft parked in front of me.
A military guard of honour will stand by as four North Macedonian soldiers carry Mr Salmond’s coffin towards the waiting charter aircraft.
Private flight being funded by Sir Tom Hunterpublished at 09:16 British Summer Time 18 October 2024
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Alex Salmond with Sir Tom Hunter
Businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter, who is paying for the private plane flying Alex Salmond's body home, is one of Scotland's richest men.
Sir Tom has a property and equity business once valued at more than £1bn and runs the Hunter Foundation charity.
It is understood that he paid for the flight with his own funds, not through the foundation.
In a statement, Sir Tom said: “Whilst he and I disagreed on some of his ambitions, Alex Salmond devoted his life to Scotland and the Scottish people.
"As such he, and importantly his family, deserved the dignity and privacy of a private return to the home of his birth."
He added: "To be clear I remain resolutely apolitical."
When will the journey to Aberdeen begin?published at 09:11 British Summer Time 18 October 2024
The flight bringing Alex Salmond's body home is expected to leave Ohrid Airport at around 10:00 BST. It is scheduled to arrive at Aberdeen Airport at 14:00.
The plane has been paid for by businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter.
Welcomepublished at 09:08 British Summer Time 18 October 2024
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage as the final preparations are made for the body of Alex Salmond to be flown back to Scotland.
The former first minister died from a heart attack at a conference in North Macedonia last Saturday.
His body will be flown from Ohrid Airport in North Macedonia to Aberdeen Airport.
You can follow events by clicking the Watch Live icon at the top of this page from about 09:30.