In a statement shared by Canongate his family said: "Early this morning we lost a deeply loved member of our family. Alasdair was an extraordinary person; very talented and, even more importantly, very humane.

"He was unique and irreplaceable and we will miss him greatly.

"We would like to thank Alasdair's many friends for their love and support, especially in recent years, together with the staff of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Glasgow, who treated him and us with such care and sensitivity during his short illness.

"In keeping with his principles Alasdair wanted his body donated to medical science, so there will be no funeral."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was among those to pay tribute to him.

She tweeted: "Such sad news. Alasdair Gray was one of Scotland's literary giants, and a decent, principled human being.