Alex Salmond. (Image: MICHAL WACHUCIK/AFP via Getty Images.)

Alex Salmond's body to be flown home to Scotland on Friday as funeral planning continues

The former first minister will be flown to Aberdeen, near to the home he shared with wife Moria for 30 years.

by · Daily Record

Alex Salmond's body will be flown home to Scotland tomorrow, the acting leader of the Alba Party has announced.

Kenny MacAskill said today a private plane is scheduled to leave North Macedonia on Friday morning bound for Aberdeen.

Salmond died aged 69 from a heart attack while attending a political conference in the southern European nation last week.

"Alex's body will be repatriated tomorrow. It should be into Aberdeen airport," MacAskill told the Herald.

"We will get the timings out once we have confirmation from the undertakers on both sides of the ocean, in North Macedonia and here. It is scheduled during the day, leaving North Macedonia in the morning."

It was revealed yesterday a "private citizen" would pay the cost of chartering a flight to repatriate the former first minister's body.

It is expected a private family funeral will take place in Aberdeenshire later this month, with a larger public memorial service planned for November.

MacAskill said yesterday: "The family are incredibly grateful for the support which is being provided by a private citizen to charter a private plane to allow Alex’s body to come home to Scotland," he said.

"It brings a great deal of comfort to Moira and other members of the family to know that he will soon be home with them.

"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."

Alex Salmond dies age 69

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