The body of Alex Salmond, Scotland’s former first minister, has arrived back in Scotland on a plane which landed at Aberdeen Airport.
His coffin was greeted by members of his family, Kenny MacAskill – who has taken over as leader of the Alba Party – and a lone piper.
It was placed in a hearse before the cortège started the journey to Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire.
The private plane, paid for by Scottish businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter, landed just before 14:00.
A group of Scottish independence supporting ‘Yes bikers’ led the cortège to Fraserburgh.
A small group of people with saltire flags had gathered near the terminal building ahead of the flight’s arrival.
Before departing North Macedonia, the former first minister’s coffin was draped in a saltire by Alba party colleague Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh.
The coffin was given a guard of honour and carried by members of the Macedonian military.
A group of delegates including Ahmed-Sheikh looked on as the flight took off from Ohrid airport.
A private family funeral will be held on a date that has not yet been confirmed.
A public memorial will follow at a later date.
Mr Salmond was at an Academy for Cultural Diplomacy conference in North Macedonia on Saturday when he had a heart attack during lunch with other delegates.
Paramedics were called and attempts were made to revive him using CPR, but failed. He died age 69.
His wife Moira, his sisters Margaret and Gail, his brother Bob and his nieces and nephews released a statement after his death which praised him as “a devoted and loving husband, a fiercely loyal brother, a proud and thoughtful uncle and a faithful and trusted friend”.
MacAskill said it brought a great deal of comfort to Moira Salmond and her family to know that the former first minister would soon return home.
He added: “The family have asked that their privacy be respected at this time and will be making an announcement in due course about the funeral arrangements and a memorial service to honour the life of Alex Salmond.”
MacAskill also expressed the Salmond family’s appreciation to the North Macedonian, Scottish and UK governments for their assistance.
Sir Tom, whose business was once valued at more than £1bn, said he was apolitical and disagreed with Salmond on some of his ambitions, but that given he devoted his life to Scotland he “deserved the dignity and privacy of a private return” home.
First Minister John Swinney has lodged a motion of condolence at Holyrood, while books of condolence have been opened in the Scottish Parliament for MSPs and members of the public to leave messages.