Alex Salmond’s funeral will be a “dignified and fitting” tribute to his life, the minister who will lead the service has said.
The Reverend Ian McEwan, a family friend, will lead the private ceremony at 1pm on Tuesday at Strichen Parish Church in Aberdeenshire, near the former first minister’s home.
Only close friends and family will be in attendance, including his widow Moira, and it will be followed by a private burial at a nearby cemetery.
First Minister John Swinney, who has submitted a motion of condolence to the Scottish Parliament, is not attending. A public memorial with a wider guest list will take place at a later date, possibly St Andrew’s Day on Nov 30.
Mr Salmond is being laid to rest just over a fortnight after he died of a heart attack, aged 69, while attending a conference in North Macedonia.
Eulogies are to be delivered by Kenny MacAskill, who was justice secretary in Mr Salmond’s government and is acting leader of his Alba Party, SNP MSP Fergus Ewing and niece Christina Hendry.
Rev McEwan, who led the funeral for Salmond’s father Robert in 2017, told BBC Scotland that the former first minister was a “remarkable people person” who “cared about ordinary folk”.
He said he hoped to offer comfort to the family in a “dignified and fitting tribute to his life” that is “shielded from the public gaze”. Mr Salmond’s death in North Macedonia added “a layer of complexity” for the family to contend with, he added.
“There’s a huge amount of distress and sadness around as you’d guess,” Mr McEwan said.
“They are an incredible family and just an inspiration to be with, even in such difficult circumstances as this.”
A spokesman for Mr Swinney said: “In line with the wishes of Mr Salmond’s family, the funeral is private.
“The thoughts of the first minister and the Scottish government remain with the family and friends of Mr Salmond.”
MSPs are expected to pay tribute to Mr Salmond on Wednesday when they debate the motion of condolence submitted by Mr Swinney.