The body of former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has been brought back to Scotland on a private jet, six days after the politician died suddenly in North Macedonia.

The body of former first minister Alex Salmond has landed in Scotland.The flight, which was paid for by businessman Sir Tom Hunter, touched down at Aberdeen Airport just before 2pm UK time.The coffin left North Macedonia just after 10.

Preparations are under way to send Alex Salmond's body home to Aberdeen. His coffin will be draped in a Saltire and put on a chartered flight from Ohrid Airport in North Macedonia. The private plane, paid for by Scottish businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter, is scheduled to depart at 10:00 BST land at Aberdeen Airport by 14:00 BST.

Alex Salmond served as first minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014 and was leader of the Scottish National Party on two occasions.

The plane carrying the body of the former first minister of Scotland Alex Salmond has taken off from North Macedonia, bound for Aberdeen. Mr Salmond died on Saturday from a heart attack while speaking at a conference in the city of Ohrid in the country’s south west.

Mr Salmond's wife Moira was sat inside a funeral car during the short ceremony at the airport. A small group of people with saltire flags had gathered near the terminal building ahead of the flight's arrival.

Alex Salmond's body is brought to a private chartered aircraft in North Macedonia to be flown to Scotland. The former First Minister's coffin is seen draped in a Scottish flag as it is solemnly brought to the plane.