Alex Salmond's funeral to take place next week

Alex Salmond will be laid to rest in a private family funeral in an Aberdeenshire village a week today, it has been confirmed.

The former first minister of Scotland died from a heart attack earlier this month at the age of 69 during a conference trip to the lake resort of Ohrid in North Macedonia.

The late Alba Party leader had earlier delivered a speech before collapsing in a crowded room during lunch.

His death shocked the political world in the UK, with tributes pouring in from the prime minister, the King and leading politicians.

Mr Salmond's body was repatriated to Aberdeen on Friday.

His family, including his wife, Moira, and acting Alba Party leader, Kenny MacAskill, greeted the coffin as a piper played Freedom Come All Ye.

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Close friend and Conservative MP Sir David Davis had led calls for the RAF to be used to bring Mr Salmond's body home, but in the end, a private flight to Aberdeen Airport was chartered and paid for by entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter.

The Alba Party, which Mr Salmond founded after a bitter falling out with the SNP and Nicola Sturgeon, confirmed the funeral will take place on 29 October.

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The service for family will take place in the rural village of Strichen, where the former SNP leader lived with his wife.

A wider public memorial is expected to take place next month.