Nelson Mandela’s friendship with Scotland has been remembered as tributes to the former South African president poured in from across the country.
First Minister Alex Salmond praised the anti-apartheid icon as an “inspiration to countless millions”.
Former prime minister Gordon Brown said the 95-year-old had been “the greatest leader of our generation”.
Flags are flying at half-mast across Scotland, including at the Scottish Parliament and in Glasgow, the first city in the world to grant Mr Mandela freedom of the city.
The award was bestowed on him in 1981 while he was imprisoned on Robben Island.
Glasgow continued to mark its support for the campaign to free him in 1986 when it renamed St George’s Place as Nelson Mandela Place in his honour.
Thousands gathered in George Square when he finally visited the city to receive the award in October 1993, the year before he became president.
Mr Mandela thanked the citizens of Glasgow and said that the award was a “tremendous” personal honour.
“While we were physically denied our freedom in the country of our birth, a city 6,000 miles away, and as renowned as Glasgow, refused to accept the legitimacy of the apartheid system and declared us to be free,” he said in a speech in the city.
Glasgow’s Lord Provost Sadie Docherty said: “Nelson Mandela dedicated his life to bringing freedom, justice and equality to the people of South Africa.
“His beliefs cost him years of his own freedom but his vision for peace and democracy prevailed. His legacy will live on and inspire generations to come.
“Glasgow was proud to be the first city in the world to honour him with a freedom of the city award and he will be sadly missed by a city which had the greatest of respect for him.”
A book of condolence is available to sign in the city chambers foyer and people gathered to celebrate his life at Nelson Mandela Place at 5pm yesterday, organised by ACTSA Scotland, successor organisation to the Scottish Anti-Apartheid Movement.
Mr Salmond said: “With the passing of Nelson Mandela, the world has lost a towering statesman and the outstanding political leader of his generation.
“Mr Mandela’s integrity, humanity and compassion were an inspiration to countless millions around the globe and his influence transcended ideology, race and creed.
“He was also someone who had a long-standing commitment to and friendship with Scotland, and I had the privilege of meeting him once.”
Holyrood Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick has written to the South African High Commissioner to offer condolences on behalf of the Parliament.
She said: “Nelson Mandela was an inspirational figure, not just in South Africa but throughout the world and particularly here in Scotland.
“On behalf of all members of the Scottish Parliament, I extend our sincere sympathies to Mr Mandela’s family and to the people of South Africa.”
Mr Brown said: “Nelson Mandela was the greatest leader of our generation a leader of magnanimity, fortitude, unshakeable optimism and, most of all, the most courageous man I ever met.
“True courage requires not only strength of will but strength of belief.
“What motivated Nelson Mandela and drove him to risk his life for freedom was a burning passion that irrespective of colour, race and background, all people are created equal, and his list of historic achievements starts with a multiracial South Africa.”
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said: “He fought injustice when there seemed to be no chance of victory, but he fought, he endured and he won.
“Nelson Mandela was the best of Africa. He was the best of humanity. He was the best of us all.”