Funeral for ex-Scots Tory leader David McLetchie The funeral of former Scottish Conservative leader David McLetchie will take place today. Politicians from all parties are expected to come together to pay tribute to the Lothian MSP who died eight days ago after battling cancer. Mr McLetchie, who was 61, died at St Columba's Hospice in Edinburgh last Monday with his family by his side. Hundreds of mourners are expected to attend a funeral service in Blackhall St Columba's Church in the capital this morning. His son James and former Holyrood Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson, who was a close friend of Mr McLetchie, will both pay tribute to him during the ceremony. First Minister Alex Salmond, who described the Tory as a "very considerable politician of the devolution era," is expected to be among the congregation along with current Tory leader Ruth Davidson, Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie. Tributes Scottish Secretary Michael Moore, former Chancellor Alistair Darling, chair of the Better Together campaign to keep Scotland in the UK, and former First Minister Lord McConnell are also expected to attend the service. Mr McLetchie, who was a lawyer before being elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999, was the Scottish Tories" first leader of the devolution era. He took on the leadership of the Scottish Conservatives in 1998, the year after the party was wiped out with no Tory MPs returned from Scotland in the 1997 general election. He headed the party for seven years but quit as leader amid controversy about his taxi expenses. As well as a son from his first marriage, Mr McLetchie had two step-children with his second wife Sheila and four grandchildren. He was involved with the Scottish Conservatives since he was a teenager in 1968 and his death came just two months after he received a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to him after his death last week, describing him as "one of Scottish politics's most formidable intellects and finest debaters." He said: "David has been an immense figure in Scottish politics and a towering strength to our party in Scotland. He will be sorely missed."" Ms Davidson hailed him as a "ferocious debater" and said "his passing leaves a large hole in Scottish public life." Ex-Conservative leader David McLetchie dies