THE friends and family of former first minister Alex Salmond have gathered for his funeral in Strichen.
Draped in a Saltire and welcomed by a piper, the former first minister’s coffin was taken into Strichen Parish Church just before midday on Tuesday, October 29.
SNP MP Joanna Cherry, SNP MSP Fergus Ewing and former speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow.
A number of people attended the funeral including formerFormer MSP Alex Neil was also in attendance with acting Alba leader Kenny MacAskill delivering a eulogy for Mr Salmond.
MacAskill hailed Salmond as a “giant of a man, the leader of our country and the leader of our movement”. He also described him as an “inspiration, a political genius, an orator, debater and communicator without parallel”.
After the funeral, piper Fergus Mutch, who previously worked for Salmond, led a procession to the cemetery at Strichen for a private service.
A public memorial to remember Salmond will be held at a later date while tributes will also be paid to him in Holyrood on Wednesday, when a motion of condolence is expected to be held.