Man on trial accused of murdering his brother-in-law in Skye shooting

A man is on trial accused of murdering his brother-in-law during a shotgun attack on Skye.

Finlay MacDonald, 41, is accused of a shooting on the island on August 10, 2022. He denies one charge of murder and two charges of attempted murder.

He also denies trying to kill his wife Rowena by stabbing her repeatedly on the same day in the village of Tarskavaig, on the Sleat Peninsula.

A trial at the High Court in Edinburgh revealed that MacDonald is accused of murdering his brother-in-law John MacKinnon on August 10, 2022, after allegedly repeatedly firing a shotgun at him, in the village of Teangue on the same peninsula.

MacDonald launched a special defense to the murder charge, claiming his “ability to determine or control his behavior was significantly impaired by an abnormal mind,” and a judge said he could be convicted of an alternative charge of manslaughter if the jury believed his defense of diminished responsibility.

The court heard MacDonald denies charges of attempted murder of a couple, Fay MacKenzie and John MacKenzie, during an alleged shooting in the Highlands mainland village of Dornie, Wester Ross.

He also denies a charge of possessing a shotgun “with intent to endanger life”, with the properties charged on August 10, 2022.

MacDonald appeared in court on Wednesday with his head shaved and dressed in a suit.

A joint minute of agreed evidence, read by solicitor depute Liam Ewing KC, said the jury would be shown a scale map of Skye and images of the properties.

The trial continues in the presence of Judge Lady Drummond.