Church leaders across the UK have joined in paying tributes to the former SNP leader Alex Salmond after he passed away on Saturday at the age of 69.

Salmond, who led Scotland to the independence referendum in 2014, was delivering a speech in North Macedonia when he suffered a suspected heart attack.

The Church of Scotland moderator, Dr Rev Shaw Paterson, described him as a "one of the most significant figures in modern Scotland".

"He played a pivotal role in the SNP's transformation into Scotland's party of government, which he led as First Minister, but his influence was not only felt on the national stage. For many years he served the communities of his adopted North-East as both an MP and MSP," Dr Paterson.

"We acknowledge his many years of service to the country he loved and offer our sincere condolences and prayers for his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time, most especially his wife, Moira."

Although Salmond was not a confessed Christian, he maintained previously called himself as an “adherent” to the Church of Scotland and had a longstanding connection with the church.

Lois McLatchie Miller, of the Alliance Defending Freedom UK, remembered Salmond as someone who "railed against dangerous imported ideologies threatening women's rights and safety in Scotland".

"I disagreed with him on much. But one thing's for sure: Salmond's Scotland would have looked remarkably different to Sturgeon's/Yousef's," she added.

Deputy First Minister of Scotland and committed Christian, Kate Forbes, said she was finding it "impossible to process" the news of his death.

"The impact he had on Scotland, our party and the independence movement was monumental. Like me, many will be in shock tonight, and my thoughts are with Moira, his wider family and his closest friends," she said.

The King also praised his "devotion to Scotland".