Former First Minister Alex Salmond's body returns to Scotland
The flight, which arrived from North Macedonia, was greeted by Mr Salmond's family.
The body of former First Minister Alex Salmond has returned to Scotland on a flight from North Macedonia.
His family, including his wife Moira, and acting Alba Party leader, Kenny MacAskill, stood on the tarmac at Aberdeen Airport as a piper played Freedom Come All Ye.
Mr Salmond's coffin, which was draped in Saltire, was taken into a hearse which then began its journey to Aberdeenshire.
The hearse and funeral cars were led by an independence-supporting biker group - known as 'Yes Bikers' - out of the airport grounds.
Paul, who is local to the area and part of the Yes Bikers, said: "What better thing to be a part of - the honour of seeing Alec home."
The cortege will travel to Mr Salmond's family home in the village of Strichen.
People travelled from all over the country to pay homage to Mr Salmond.
Ian made the 150-mile journey from Lanark to Aberdeen with his car decorated in "Aye" flags: "I followed him for the last 30 years because he was a political giant in Scottish politics.
"He was a colossus, untouchable. So that's the reason I'm up here today, to pay homage to him."
Businessman Sir Tom Hunter paid for a private flight to transport Mr Salmond from North Macedonia where he died last Saturday of a heart attack.
The former SNP leader, who led the Scottish Government from 2007 until 2014, died aged 69 while attending a conference in the city of Ohrid.
His death shocked the political world in the UK, and tributes poured in from the Prime Minister, the King and leading politicians.
First Minister John Swinney said his former colleague - who later left the SNP and founded the Alba Party - inspired a generation to believe in independence.
As he left North Macedonia, Mr Salmond's body was carried by six members of the nation's military to the flight along a red carpet that was flanked by eight other soldiers standing at attention to the sound of a trumpet.
The soldiers, flight and ground crew observed a moment's silence before Mr Salmond's body was loaded onto the flight.
Plans are being put in place for a private family funeral along with a more public memorial service.
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