Alex Salmond's private funeral to be held on October 29

The former First Minister Alex Salmond's funeral will take place on October 29, it has been confirmed.

Mr Salmond died after suffering a heart attack in North Macedonia while attending a conference in the city of Ohrid earlier this month.

His family have confirmed a private funeral will be held next Tuesday at Strichen Parish Church near his Aberdeenshire home.

A public memorial service is expected to take place in the coming weeks.

The former Alba Party and SNP leader's body was returned to Scotland on Friday, arriving at Aberdeen Airport.

The flight was met by his family and acting Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill as a solo piper played.

His coffin, which was draped in Saltire, was taken into a hearse before being led to Fraserburgh by a group of independence-supporting bikers, known as the 'Yes Bikers'.

Mr Salmond was First Minister between 2007 and 2014 and was responsible for securing the independence referendum.

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