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

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Alex Salmond's body was brought back from North Macedonia last week

Alex Salmond's funeral will be held on Tuesday 29 October, it has been confirmed.

The former first minister died of a heart attack while attending a conference in North Macedonia earlier this month.

A private service attended by close friends and family will be held near his home at Strichen Parish Church, followed by a burial at Strichen Cemetery.

A public memorial is to be held at a later date.

The former Alba Party and SNP leader's body arrived at Aberdeen Airport on Friday.

The repatriation flight from North Macedonia was paid for by Scottish businessman Sir Tom Hunter.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, A lone piper played as the coffin was brought off the plane

His coffin was greeted by members of his family, acting Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill and a lone piper.

A group of Scottish independence-supporting bikers then led the cort猫ge to a funeral home in Fraserburgh.

A small crowd of well-wishers gathered in the town to see the coffin arrive.

Salmond had been at a conference held by the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy when he had a heart attack during lunch with other delegates.

Attempts were made to revive him using CPR, but he died aged 69.

His wife Moira, his sisters Margaret and Gail, his brother Bob and his nieces and nephews released a statement praising him as "a devoted and loving husband, a fiercely loyal brother, a proud and thoughtful uncle and a faithful and trusted friend".