A SUCCESSFULL businessman from New Cumnock has confirmed he paid for the chartered flight which will return Alex Salmond’s body to Scotland on Friday.

The former first minister died aged 69 after suffering a heart attack in the city of Ohrid, North Macedonia, on Saturday, where he was attending a conference.

And former Cumnock Academy pupil, Sir Tom Hunter, put his personal cash towards bringing Salmond's body back to his homeland.

READ MORE: Sir Tom Hunter says he sees a bright future for New Cumnock

Sir Tom said: “Whilst he and I disagreed on some of his ambitions, Alex Salmond devoted his life to Scotland and the Scottish people and as such he, and importantly his family, deserved the dignity and privacy of a private return to the home of his birth.

“Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with his family at this time. To be clear, I remain resolutely apolitical.”

He paid for the flight personally and not through philanthropic body, The Hunter Foundation, which he founded.

A source close to Mr Salmond’s family said: “The family continue to be grateful for the generosity and kindness shown at what is a trying time.”

The flight is due to take off at about 11am on Friday, landing in Aberdeen at about 1.45pm.

Alex Salmond passed away last week.Alex Salmond passed away last week (Image: Academy for Cultural Diplomacy/PA Wire) The Alba Party, which Mr Salmond formed in 2021 and which he led until his death, confirmed on Wednesday a private citizen had stepped in to pay for a chartered flight but did not name the person involved.

The party's acting leader, Kenny MacAskill, 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.”

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 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.”