PEOPLE have been invited to “welcome” Alex Salmond's body back to Scotland by his family and have been encouraged to join the former first minister on “one last journey” led by Yes Bikers.
It was confirmed on Thursday that Salmond’s body would be flown home to Scotland on Friday from North Macedonia.
Tom Hunter had been revealed as the private donor paying to repatriate the body as he said the former first minister and his family deserved the “dignity” of a private return home.
Salmond died aged 69 after suffering a heart attack in the city of Ohrid on Saturday, where he was attending a conference.
Scottish independence campaign group, All Under One Banner (AUOB), said Salmond’s wife Moira has now invited anyone wishing to welcome her late husband home to “join him on one last journey”.
It is understood that a cortege will leave Aberdeen Airport at 1:45pm and will be led by a group of Yes Bikers and that people have been invited to join the convoy to pay their respects.
The procession is to end at Fraserburgh and people who do not have a car are urged to stand along the route and wave a flag.
In a post on social media, a spokesperson for AUOB said: “Tomorrow one of the most remarkable people will be returning home to his wife and family for the last time.”
It continued: “We have all been used to Alex being like a member of our own extended family and in recognition of this Alex's wife Moira invites anyone wishing to welcome him home to join him on one last journey.
“Alex's plane is due to arrive at 1.45pm tomorrow afternoon at Aberdeen Airport. The cortege will be led off by a group of YES Bikers and should you wish to form a convoy of yessers behind the three cars make sure that you follow Alex car to Fraserburgh rather than the family when they turn off to go to Strichen.
“If you're not in a car and you live along the route, get your flags out. Give him a wave.”
It is understood STV will provide broadcast footage of the plane's arrival and of the coffin as it comes off the plane on Friday.
