Mourners gather for Alex Salmond’s funeral

A coffin carrying the body of Alex Salmond has arrived at his funeral as the former first minister is laid to rest.

A private service is being held in Strichen Parish Church, near the ex-Alba and SNP leader’s Aberdeenshire home.

A coffin, draped in a saltire, arrived shortly before 12:00.

Salmond died of a heart attack, aged 69, while attending a conference in North Macedonia just over two weeks ago.

The service, attended by family and close friends, is to be followed by a private burial.

Eulogies are being delivered by acting Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill, former SNP cabinet colleague Fergus Ewing and Salmond’s niece Christina Hendry.

First Minister John Swinney, who has submitted a motion of condolence to the Scottish Parliament, is not attending the service.

A spokesperson said: “In line with the wishes of Mr Salmond’s family, the funeral is private.

“The thoughts of the first minister and the Scottish government remain with the family and friends of Mr Salmond.”

The service is being led by The Reverend Ian McEwan, a family friend who led the funeral for Salmond’s father Robert in 2017.

Mr McEwan said that while Salmond was ebullient and confident in public, he was also a “remarkable people person” who “cared about ordinary folk”.

The minister said he hoped to offer comfort to the family in a “dignified and fitting tribute to his life” that is “shielded from the public gaze”.

He said the circumstances of Salmond’s death in North Macedonia added “a layer of complexity” for the family to contend with.

“There’s a huge amount of distress and sadness around as you’d guess,” Mr McEwan said.

“They are an incredible family and just an inspiration to be with, even in such difficult circumstances as this.”

Salmond’s body was repatriated to Scotland from North Macedonia on a private flight paid for by Scottish businessman Sir Tom Hunter.

The former first minister had been at a conference held by the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy when he had a heart attack during lunch with other delegates.

His wife Moira, his sisters Margaret and Gail, his brother Bob and his nieces and nephews released a statement praising him as “a devoted and loving husband, a fiercely loyal brother, a proud and thoughtful uncle and a faithful and trusted friend”.

MSPs are expected to pay tribute to Salmond on Wednesday when they debate the motion of condolence submitted by the first minister.