BBC Radio 5 live

Jessie Mellor, 63, knew 'Charlie Kennedy' at Lochaber High School: "Debating was his thing. He was always very interested in politics. You got the sense that he was going to be a 'big person' in politics'."

Donald, Burnside: "Charles Kennedy was a man of great political courage and integrity. I was in the public gallery in House of Commons in 2003 in the week before the huge "Not in Our Name" anti- Iraq Invasion march in London, which he attended."

Image source, Google

Iain Marshall said: "We went to the same school - Lochaber high school. I was a bit younger than Charles - by about four years. He was active in debating then. You could tell he was going to be bit of a star. He was decent guy even back then. I knew his family as well. I was a piper and his father was a fiddler. My mother taught him at school. A teacher called Mr Bob Dick was instrumental in getting Charles into debating by entering him into a competition, which he won. That was the start of his political career."

Alison McLeod, from Applecross said: "He was a very good constituency MP. It's a massive constituency but he covered it very effectively, and in person. He was quite often in Applecross, which is a tiny wee place.

She continued:"He came with Sarah [his wife] and Donald [his son] to reopen our community owned refilling station in 2009, and I think Charles was every bit as excited as his three-year-old son was because Donald was enjoying himself so much, getting to sit in the fire engine. It's the family's loss that you really think of."

In many of the tributes paid to Charles Kennedy this morning, friends and colleagues have commented on his sense of humour.

This can be seen in this letter that Mr Kennedy sent Phil Lucas, external, after the comedian asked the former Liberal Democrat leader who his favourite Muppet was.

Image source, Phil Lucas

In the letter he wrote: "Thank you very much for your kind letter of support and question regarding the muppets. I am very sorry about the delay in replying.

"In response to your question I would like to say that my favourite muppet is Gonzo. Even though he is blue he is a nice guy."

Ian Blackford, the SNP MP who won Charles Kennedy's seat of Ross, Skye and Lochaber at the general election - ending Mr Kennedy's 32-year tenure in the House of Commons - said that it would have been difficult for the Liberal Democrat.

Image source, Chris Ison

He said: "Charles had represented the seat since 1983.

"He was well regarded, well respected within the constituency and worked hard for the constituency, so of course I think losing the seat would be something that would be hard to take for anybody, but particularly Charles.

"I think in his heart of hearts, Charles knew that he was in quite a fight during the course of the last few weeks.

"I want to pay tribute to his great character, his many strengths.

"He was a very human individual, someone I knew very well over a long period of time. And one that I think showed great kindness, great friendship to many people."

Charles Kennedy was a gifted politician, who was as well known for his wit, humour and humility.

Image source, PA

Here are some of his more memorable quotes from his time as an MP:

In September 2014: "I am enjoying the Loch Ness monster exhibition with my nine-year-old son. I told him it's the world's most famous floating voter".

On the elevation of Eurosceptic Tory MP Bill Cash in January 2014: "The election to the chairmanship of the European Scrutiny Committee was akin to putting King Herod in charge of a maternity ward".

In June 2004: "In 21 years of election campaigns I have never kissed a baby".

In 2006: "I'm a big fan of Puccini. Tosca is great because it has got the lot - murder, politics, sex, intrigue. It is like the whole pastiche of the House of Commons, only with good music".

In August 2010 Mr Kennedy dismissed claims that he was defecting to Labour, telling the Sunday Mail: "I will go out of this world feet first with my Lib Dem membership card in my pocket."

You can read more from Mr Kennedy in his own words, here.

In a tribute to Charles Kennedy, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon recalled watching Trainspotting in a Melbourne cinema with the former Liberal Democrat leader while on a study trip.

Image source, Andrew Milligan

She said: "There is no doubt this morning that our country is poorer for his passing and my thoughts are with his family and his friends at this time.

"I've got some very fond memories of Charles Kennedy, he and I went on a study trip to Australia in the mid 1990s and perhaps my fondest memory, if a slightly bizarre one, is the two of us skiving off to see Trainspotting in a Melbourne cinema.

"I think we were the only two Scots in the audience at the time so we were drawing some strange looks as we were laughing uproariously at jokes nobody else in the audience was getting.

"So that is a very special memory and one that I will treasure."

Scottish Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael has described his late party colleague as "a man of great humour, who could enjoy a joke at his own expense".

Image source, PA

Mr Carmichael said: "Much has already been said about his personal warmth as an individual and his ability, as a result, to connect with voters. All that is undoubtedly true but I hope that he will be remembered for a lot more.

"His political judgement on the decision to go to war in Iraq was a textbook example of how to balance political principle with the demands of national political office.

"Likewise, his determination not to be drawn in to the inquiries set up after the war by the then Labour government set him apart from the political establishment. "

Danny Alexander, who until the general election was a senior Liberal Democrat MP, said Charles Kennedy was "one of the most talented politicians of his generation".

Image source, Getty Images

He added: "Charles was a Highlander through and through, a great liberal.

"He achieved a great deal for the communities he loved in the north of Scotland, and he gave courageous leadership to the opposition to the Iraq war.

"One of the many consequences of this tragic, untimely loss is that our country will not have the benefit of his sane, principled, and persuasive voice in the debates about Scotland and Europe, two issues he cared passionately about.

"We will miss him more than words can say."

Former first minister Alex Salmond said Charles Kennedy's greatest attribute as a politician was he had "the common touch".

Mr Salmond also paid tribute to the former Liberal Democrat leader's strength in opposing the Iraq war.

He said: "At that time there was enormous pressure on Charles to join the rest of the establishment, to do the right thing, to be part of the grand coalition that was waving people off to war."

He added: "Charles' ability, and perhaps because of the constituency he represented in the West Highlands, was he had a circle of friends - people he knew and trusted - beyond the 'magic circle' of politics.

"Therefore, when it came to a decision when the establishment was facing one way and the people were facing the other way, he took the side of the people."

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have shared images on Facebook, external of Charles Kennedy in his life and work.

Image source, Scottish Liberal Democrats

In a statement the party said: "We're all incredibly saddened by the untimely death of Charles Kennedy.

"Charles devoted his life to public service and served the Highlands faithfully for more than 30 years. His unique combination of political talent, humour humility and compassion made him stand out as a truly gifted and wonderful politician.

"He was a staunch internationalist and a passionate believer in Britain's role in Europe and Scotland's role in Britain. He was a proud Highlander and a true Liberal.

"We will miss him."

Nick Clegg has spoken of the "tragedy" of witnessing Charles Kennedy's problems with alcohol, earlier in his career.

He said: "Charles Kennedy on form, on a good day when he was feeling strong and happy, had more political talent in his little finger than the rest of us put together.

Image source, PA

"That's why everyone felt, and of course still feels today, that it was just so tragic to see someone with such huge gifts also struggle - as many people do - with the demons that clearly beset him and the problems that he acknowledged that he had with alcohol."

Tony Blair's former spokesman Alastair Campbell says he and Charles Kennedy had a "shared enemy" in alcohol.

In a deeply personal blog, external, he wrote: "Perhaps another day, if his family are happy with this, I will write in more detail about the discussions we had over the past few years, and what it was like for someone in the public eye facing the demon drink.

"It was a part of who he was, and the life he had; the struggles came and went, and went and came, but the great qualities that made Charles who and what he was were always there."

In January, 2006, Mr Kennedy called a leadership contest in the Liberal Democrats after he admitted battling with a drink problem.

Gordon Brown recalled trying to persuade Charles Kennedy to join the Labour party shortly after he had been elected as an MP.

He said: "The first time I met Charles in 1983 - we entered parliament from Scotland at the same time - I had recognised his ability and asked him to join the Labour Party. He politely declined.

"The last time I was in touch with him was to pass on condolences when his father, with whom he remained very close, sadly died just before the 2015 election.

"No one will forget the skills Charles demonstrated - with his undoubted ability to debate, lead and persuade - in bringing the Liberal Democrats to life, in arguing against the Iraq War and in putting the case for Scotland in the UK and Britain in Europe.

"My thoughts, and those of Sarah, are with his family and his young son of whom he was intensely proud."

Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy said Scotland, and the whole United Kingdom, had lost a 'political giant'.

He said: "Although we came from different political traditions, Charles was a man I was proud to call a friend.

"When I was first elected to the House of Commons back in 1997 as a young 29-year old, Charles was one of the first people to offer me support and guidance. He didn't have to, but he did. That's just the kind of man he was.

Image source, Jeff J Mitchell

"Despite the sadness, those of us who knew him will remember the good times.

"We will look back at Charles' wit and good humour. In years to come we will remember with a smile the delight in knowing him, his huge contribution to politics and a life lost too soon.

"The greatest tribute I could pay to Charles is that I always wished he was Labour, because he was so talented and popular with the general public. He will be sadly missed across Scotland and the whole United Kingdom."

A statement released on behalf of Charles Kennedy's family said: "It is with great sadness, and an enormous sense of shock, that we announce the death of Charles Kennedy.

Image source, Chris Young

"Charles died at home in Fort William yesterday. He was 55. We are obviously devastated at the loss.

Image source, Andrew Parsons

"Charles was a fine man, a talented politician, and a loving father to his young son.

"We ask therefore that the privacy of his family is respected in the coming days."

In a statement, the Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: "He was a politician who transcended party politics and his gentle warmth always conveyed an intelligent humanity when he spoke.

"My thoughts and prayers go to his family."

In a statement, Police Scotland said they were called to Charles Kennedy's home at Caberfeidh cottage in Fort William on Monday evening, following the sudden death of a 55-year-old man.

Image source, Andrew Milligan

Image source, Andrew Milligan

Willie Rennie said that it was Charles Kennedy who ensured his election victory in the Dunfermline by-election in 2006. He said: "The campaign was on its knees.

"We had had a series of political catastrophes. Charles had agreed to come and help the Friday before polling day.

"I still remember being in Dunfermline High Street with this pack of journalists following us. A little lady from the side shouts 'We love you Charles'.

It just lit up the whole place. I won a few days later, and I put that down to Charles Kennedy's intervention.

"My eyes are red this morning, and I am sure many other people's eyes will be red."

Willie Rennie, the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said he was "absolutely devastated" by the news of Charles Kennedy's passing.

Image source, Getty Images

He said: "I only met him 12 days ago in Glasgow to discuss the future of his political career because he had so much yet to give.

"It was that cheeky smile, that Highland voice, and just a few well chosen words. He was able to catch my political heart and many people right across the nation."

Laura Kuenssberg
Chief correspondent, Newsnight

Lots will be written today, not much will be by people who knew Kennedy as well as this, v well worth reading. AlastairCampbell blog, external

Former Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott told BBC Radio Scotland: "The tributes that are paid to him do reflect how popular he was across politics because he just didn't do partisan politics, he was far better than that.

Image source, John Barnett

"He was a unique character who brought the best of our discourse and our discussions of what we should be as a country together and I just think the loss is incalculable, not just to the party but to the wider politics."

He added: "Charles was not just a great communicator but a great commentator as well.

"He analysed politics, he knew the people, he understood what made people tick."