ALEX Salmond’s body will be flown back to Scotland on a charter flight with support from a private citizen.

The former first minister died on Saturday in North Macedonia and his family has been working on arrangements to bring his body home.

The Scottish Government confirmed the details and said officials had been liaising with the family.

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There had been calls for the RAF to be used to repatriate the body from his friend former Tory MP David Davis.

The flight will go to Aberdeen, the closest airport to his family home in Strichen, Aberdeenshire.

The Alba Party, of which he was leader, said funeral arrangements and a memorial service will be announced later.

A post-mortem revealed he died of a heart attack following a speech at an international conference.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “The loss of a loved one is a difficult time for any family, made more complex when they have passed away overseas.

“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.

“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.”