Man appears in court accused of murdering John MacKinnon and attempting to kill wife in Skye shootings

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering his brother-in-law following a series of attacks in and around Skye.

Finlay Macdonald from Tarskavaig is also charged with attempting to murder his 32-year-old wife and the mother of his four children, Rowena.

In addition, the 39-year-old also faces two charges of the attempted murder of local chiropractor John Don MacKenzie at Blanuskan, Princes Street, Dornie and his wife Fay.

The incidents are all said to have taken place on August 10 at Tarskavaig and Dornie in Wester Ross.

Macdonald made no plea to repeatedly discharging a shotgun at his sister’s husband, John MacKinnon and his home, shooting him on the body whereby he was severely injured and murdered him.

It is said to have taken place at An Gleannan, Saasaig, Teangue, Isle of Skye.

Prior to this, Macdonald is accused of stabbing his spouse with a knife or similar instrument to her severe injury and danger of life.

After Mr MacKinnon’s death, Macdonald is said to have repeatedly used the shotgun on Mr MacKenzie, striking him on the body to his severe injury and danger of life.

Mrs Mackenzie was also shot on the head and body to her severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Macdonald appeared at Sheriff Court three at the Inverness Justice Centre before Sheriff Peter Grant-Hutchison.

He was represented by Inverness solicitor John MacColl, who said afterwards: “I can confirm there was no application for bail but it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment at this stage.”

Macdonald made no plea, was committed for further examination and remanded in custody.

He will appear again within the next eight days.