Farewell to Scots giant of a man

THE Saltire flag draped over his coffin as a piper played Robert Burns, this was a fitting and private send-off for a man who shaped the nation of his birth.

- DAVE BURKE

Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond was yesterday laid to rest following his sudden death from a heart attack, as mourners gathered with his widow Moira.

Politicians including former Commons Speaker John Bercow paid their respects near his home in the village of Strichen, Aberdeenshire.

Absent from the group of mourners were former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the current one, John Swinney.