Alex Salmond's body will be flown back to Scotland on Friday, it has been confirmed.

Kenny MacAskill, the acting leader of the Alba Party, told The Herald the flight will arrive into Aberdeen airport, scheduled to land at 1.45pm.

"Alex's body will be repatriated tomorrow. It should be into Aberdeen airport," Mr MacAskill said.

"We will get the timings out once we have confirmation from the undertakers on both sides of the ocean, in North Macedonia and here. It is scheduled during the day, leaving North Macedonia in the morning."

READ MORE: 

It is understood a private family funeral is expected to be held later this month in the village of Strichen, in Aberdeenshire, where the former First Minister lived with his wife Moira. A public memorial service will take place later.

A statement from the Alba party said the coffin carrying his body will be carried from the plane and into the hearse which will be waiting to receive it. 

It added that members of the family and acting Alba Party Leader Kenny MacAskill will greet the coffin on its arrival before the cortege departs to the family home in Strichen.

The statement went onto give the flight details.

"The private plane which has been chartered to bring Alex Salmond home will leave Ohrid St Paul the Apostle Airport (OHD) at an Estimated Time of Departure of 11:00 hrs (North Macedonia) landing in Aberdeen Airport (ABZ) at an Expected Time of Arrival of 13:45 hrs.

"The carrier is Airline AIR X.  The aircraft is an Embraer Legacy 600.  The Aircraft registration is 9H-JPC.  The Flight number: AXY4769."

It is understood STV will provide pooled broadcast images of the plane's arrival into the airport and of the coffin as it comes off the plane. 

The Scottish Government confirmed on Wednesday the family decided to charter their own flight, with the funding for the plane coming from a “private individual”.

Talks were initially in place for Mr Salmond's body to be repatriated by the RAF but this was reportedly rejected due to concerns about the breaking of protocol in only handling cases involving the Royal Family.

The 69-year-old collapsed and died suddenly of a heart attack shortly after delivering a speech on independence in Ohrid, North Macedonia.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mr MacAskill, the acting leader of the Alba Party, said: “The family are incredibly grateful for the support which is being provided by a private citizen to charter a private plane to allow Alex’s body to come home to Scotland.

“It brings a great deal of comfort to Moira and other members of the family to know that he will soon be home with them.

"The family have asked that their privacy be respected at this time and will be making an announcement in due course about the funeral arrangements and a memorial service to honour the life of Alex Salmond.”

Mr MacAskill also expressed the Salmond family’s appreciation to the North Macedonian Government, for “expediting” the process of releasing Mr Salmond’s body and the Scottish and UK governments for their work in securing his repatriation.

Mr Salmond served as first minister between 2007 and 2014 and led the country through the Scottish independence referendum which ultimately ended in 55% to 45% against the proposition.

He had been a stalwart figure in the SNP, with tributes stemming from across the party, including from his former protégé Nicola Sturgeon.

The pair had a very public falling out in 2018 over the Scottish Government's handling of sexual misconduct allegations against him.

Mr Salmond was acquitted of criminal charges later that year and was later awarded £500,000 in damages from the Scottish Government over the mishandling of complaints.

The relationship with Ms Sturgeon was never resolved and the pair never spoke again.

Tributes poured in for Mr Salmond following his sudden death, with his family describing him as a "devoted and loving husband, a fiercely loyal brother, a proud and thoughtful uncle and a faithful and trusted friend".

Mr Salmond also received a minute's applause during the Scotland v Portugal match at Hampden on Tuesday.

Following Mr Salmond's death, the flags at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh were lowered as a mark of respect.

Flags will be lowered again on Sunday and Monday and on the day of his funeral.

First Minister John Swinney has tabled a motion of condolence in the Scottish Parliament and has signed a book of condolence in Holyrood where floral tributes have laid outside the building.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said it is prepared to offer further help if necessary.

“Over the last few days, the Scottish Government and UK Government have been engaging with Alex Salmond’s family and working closely together in accordance with their wishes, to ensure the swift and dignified repatriation of the former first minister to Scotland,” a statement on Wednesday said.

“Having explored a number of options, the family have now made arrangements for this to take place with the support of a private citizen.

“The Scottish Government continues to engage with Mr Salmond’s family, and we stand ready to offer further advice and support, should it be required.”