Men spotted on Nairn's East Beach with gun before banker Alistair Wilson fatally shot on doorstep

Two men were spotted on a Highland beach with a handgun a month before a banker was fatally shot on his doorstep.

Alistair Wilson, 30, was gunned down at his home in Nairn in November 2004 whilst his two young sons were upstairs.

In response to Police Scotland’s recent appeals over the unsolved case, a witness has reported seeing two men on Nairn’s East Beach with a gun in the month prior to the murder.

Detectives said one man was between 40 and 60-years-old. A younger man, believed to be in his 20s at the time, was reportedly in possession of a handgun.

Detective superintendent Graeme Mackie, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said officers are seeking the public’s help to identify the suspects.

He said: “We are following up this new information and I would ask anyone with information, or who may be able to identify the men, to please come forward and speak with us.

“This potential sighting was passed to officers following recent publicity around the case and I am grateful for the positive response we have received from the local community.”

Mr Wilson, who was born and raised in North Ayrshire, was shot by a man at around 7pm on Sunday, November 28, 2004.

The killer asked for Mr Wilson by name after his wife Veronica answered the door of the family’s home in Crescent Road.

Mr Wilson went downstairs to speak to the man and was handed a blue envelope with the word “Paul” on it.

He went inside briefly but was then fatally shot when he returned to the door. Mr Wilson later died in hospital.

The suspect – believed to be aged between 20 and 40 – would now be in his mid-30s to almost 60-years-old.

He was described as around 5ft 7in and was wearing a baseball cap and jacket.

Earlier this month, Police Scotland announced that officers were carrying out enquiries in Nova Scotia, Canada, as part of the investigation.

DS Mackie added: “As I have said recently, time is no barrier to justice.

“More than 17 years have passed since Alistair’s murder, but Police Scotland is committed to bringing his killer to justice and providing the family with the answers they deserve.

“Someone out there knows what happened to Alistair and developments in the investigation over the last few weeks are a vital reminder that it is never too late to come forward with information, no matter how small or insignificant you may think it is.”

Call 101 or email SCDHOLMESAberdeen@scotland.pnn.police.uk if you have any information.