Scottish author and artist, Alasdair Gray, dies aged 85

Scottish author and artist Alasdair Gray has died at the age of 85.

Publishing firm, Canongate, say he died on Sunday morning at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in his native Glasgow, surrounded by family.

In a statement shared by Canongate, the family said: ''Alasdair was an extraordinary person; very talented and, even more importantly, very humane.

He was unique and irreplaceable and we will miss him greatly. We would like to thank Alasdair's many friends for their love and support, especially in recent years.

Together with the staff of the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Glasgow, who treated him and us with such care and sensitivity during his short illness. In keeping with his principles Alasdair wanted his body donated to medical science, so there will be no funeral.''

First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, described Gray as one of Scotland's ''literary giants'' and a ''decent, principled human being''.

''He'll be remembered best for the masterpiece that is Lanark, but everything he wrote reflected his brilliance. Today, we mourn the loss of a genius, and think of his family,'' she added.

Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh tweeted: ''Alasdair Gray was a unique talent. In Lanark, and 1982 Janine especially, he wrote two of the greatest Scottish novels and influenced a creative generation. #RIP.''