The funeral of MSP Alex Johnstone will be held in Aberdeenshire later today.

The politician, who was the longest serving Scottish Conservative MSP at Holyrood, died last week at the age of 55 after a short battle with cancer.

His funeral is due to take place at noon at Glenbervie Parish Church.

The Stonehaven-born politician had represented the North East Scotland region since the Scottish Parliament was founded in 1999.

During 17 years as an MSP, Johnstone served his party as chief whip and rural affairs spokesman.

Johnstone is survived by his wife of 36 years Linda, two children and six grandchildren.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said Johnstone represented "politics at its best".

She said: "Alex's passing is an enormous loss for the Scottish Conservative party, for the Scottish Parliament, and for Scottish public life generally.

"He was a big man with a big heart. He embodied politics at its best: trenchant in his views, always up for a political fight but respected and admired by all sides of the political divide for his decency and generosity.

"The north east of Scotland could not have had a greater friend over the 17 years he served as their MSP. He was utterly devoted to championing the area.

"All our thoughts and prayers are now with Linda and their family."