STV NewsPolice are working with military intelligence specialists to search an area near Inverness for the bodies of a mother and son who were murdered 50 years ago.
Renee MacRae, 36, and her three-year-old son, Andrew, were murdered by William MacDowell after they disappeared from their home in Inverness on November 12, 1976.
Their remains have never been found.
MacDowell was found guilty of their murders at the High Court in Inverness in September 2022 at the age of 80. He died in February 2023.
A number of searches have taken place in the years since the pair went missing.
In 2004, a full cold case review resulted in a month-long excavation of Dalmagarry Quarry, just yards from where Mrs MacRae’s car was discovered on fire the evening she disappeared.
The focus turned to a forensic search of nearby Leanach Quarry five years later.
As part of the latest efforts to recover their bodies, a number of sites near Nairnside, east of Inverness, have been subject to detailed analysis.
Specialists from the Ministry of Defence have been using drones and light detection equipment across a number of locations.
The results are set to be studied to determine whether further searches of the land are required.
Detective superintendent Brian Geddes said the case will never be considered resolved until the mother and son’s bodies are found.
“We owe it to the family and friends to make every effort to recover Renee and Andrew’s bodies to provide them with the dignity they deserve”, he explained.
“The results of this scoping activity will be studied to assess whether further search activity is required.
“I want to thank our military colleagues who have assisted and provided their expertise to this survey, and also the landowners for their assistance with access through the week.
“Our work continues as we try to ensure the family get the answers they deserve. I would urge anyone who may be able to assist, no matter how small you may feel your information is, to come forward and speak to police.”
Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, said: “Our world-class professionals have once again shown how the Armed Forces can bring real value to supporting their civilian partners at home in the UK.
“I want to congratulate our specialists from the National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence on a successful operation to support Police Scotland’s search for Renee and Andrew MacRae.
“This shows our whole-of-society approach in action, and we will continue to support Police Scotland in any way we can.”
Those who believe they can assist police are urged to contact 101. Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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