Former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has been remembered for his humility as hundreds of people paid their last respects at his funeral.

Family and friends have joined with senior politicians and members of the local community in large numbers for a funeral mass at the St John the Evangelist church in Caol, Fort William, in the Highlands.

The father of one died suddenly at his home on June 1 at the age of 55.

Preaching the homily, parish priest Father Roddy McAuley said the "much-loved and respected parishioner" will be "sorely missed".

He told the congregation: "Charles Kennedy was a humble man. When Charles's parents died and Charles said a few words in the church, he wouldn't come up here to the lectern but insisted on speaking outside the sanctuary, from the floor.

"In this church, Charles was one of the 'backbenchers'. He didn't always sit in the same pew but he always sat at the back of the church."

Fr McAuley also spoke of the family's long-standing links with the church, and of the former MP's love of music.

The priest said: "Ian and Mary Kennedy, the parents of Charles, Isobel and Ian, were both awarded the Benemerenti medal, Latin for the 'well deserved' medal, for their services to their church.

"The Benemerenti medal was accepted with great humility by Mary and Ian, and never displayed. That humility was inherited by Charles, Isobel and Ian.

"Mary played the organ and Ian the fiddle here in St John's for over 40 years, and at their son Charles's funeral today we are pleased to have a number of musicians who have come together to play, as they did for the funerals of his parents.

"Charles loved music and he famously quoted: 'I couldn't imagine a day without music. It relaxes and stimulates me in equal measure, and I hate the sound of silence - the concept I mean, not the track by Simon and Garfunkel'."

He went on: "There have been beautiful tributes paid to Charles especially over the past week or so. Something we might add is the importance of Charles's faith to him.

"He was a much-loved and respected parishioner of St John's and he will be sorely missed."

Mr Kennedy's ex-wife Sarah Gurling and their 10-year-old son Donald were among the mourners.

Senior Lib Dems Nick Clegg, Danny Alexander, Sir Menzies Campbell, Sir Malcolm Bruce and Michael Moore were also at the service.

Scotland's Deputy First Minister John Swinney, former prime minister Gordon Brown and close friend Alastair Campbell were present, joined by Mr Kennedy's partner Carole MacDonald.

Outside the church, a floral tribute of white roses from Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha carried the message: "The country has lost an extraordinary talent whose character and courage inspired us all.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Donald and all Charles's friends at this incredibly sad time."

Friend Brian McBride told those gathered that he knew Mr Kennedy was special from their first meeting 40 years ago.

During the eulogy, he said: "He had a huge public service ethos, as an MP, party leader, a university rector, he wasn't doing these things for the money - he was here to serve.

"Everything he did, every challenge he faced, was not about him, it always started with what it would mean for other people.

"A hugely sensitive man in private, no ego at all, and never putting himself first, proud of his roots, his family, his friends, there was never a second side to him.

"I doubt I will ever see his like again - one of the few public people who walked this earth and didn't really have a single enemy."

Mr McBride added: "His old friends were just as happy when he was able to make a reunion dinner or a university event.

"He was always Charles with a word and a smile and a story for everyone."

After Mr Kennedy's death, tributes flowed in from across the political spectrum and the local community in the Highlands.

Mr McBride told those gathered that he believed only Winston Churchill and John Smith have been so universally mourned.

"The Daily Record in their tribute referred to Charles as one of us, and to everyone in this parish, this town, this constituency, Glasgow, Scotland and throughout the UK, I think that's exactly what you were Charles, one of us.

"Charles you take a special place in the hearts of family and friends as well as people all across the country, we shall always remember you."

Following the service, which lasted more than an hour, a lone piper accompanied the hearse and coffin from the church, which sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis.

Hundreds of people, including children from St Columba's RC Primary school gathered outside as the funeral cortege began its final journey for the private burial at Clunes, Achnacarry.

The crowd broke into applause as the hearse was driven past in a final tribute to the hugely popular former MP.

Following the service, Sir Menzies Campbell said: "It was a service of contrasts really. We had the formality of the mass, we had the great and the good in the congregation, but mainly this was about the local community. Charles as a member of a very close-knit family and a community which certainly regarded him as one of their favourite sons.

"It's a sad occasion but in a sense it was an uplifting occasion as well.

"Politics featured not very much. It was about him, the community and his family."

Sir Menzies, who succeeded Mr Kennedy as Liberal Democrat leader, said the former MP was able to connect with people, and was "as at ease canvassing in a street like this as he was taking George W Bush to task" over the Iraq war.

"It's often said about people, especially when they pass over, that they were the kind of person who would speak to everyone. But in Charles Kennedy's case, that was undoubtedly true."

He said he would remember Mr Kennedy as a "man of wit, humour and fun but a man who knew when it was time to be serious".

Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy said: "Today was a lovely service for Charles Kennedy the politician but more importantly the man.

"There was just a great outpouring of hymns, prayer and celebration in the church and outside the church."

Reflecting on his own memories of Mr Kennedy, Mr Murphy said that he had always looked up to him during his time at Westminster.

"We had our disagreements from time to time but Charles would never fall out with you as a person, and while he was never a sportsman, he wasn't a footballer and we heard in the eulogy today that the nearest he got to the football pitch was masquerading as a goalpost, he always played the ball rather than the person when it came to politics."

He added: "Everybody in Parliament loved Charles Kennedy and will remember him with a smile on their face."