Alistair Wilson: 19th anniversary of murder of Nairn banker who was shot on his doorstep

It was a case that sent shockwaves through Scotland, and 19 years since Nairn banker Alistair Wilson was shot on his doorstep, his killer remains a mystery.

The 30-year-old was murdered at his home on Sunday, November 28, 2004, while his two sons were upstairs.

Despite several appeals for information and numerous lines of inquiry, no arrests have been made since and no motive established.

Alistair Wilson, who was shot dead on doorstep in Nairn. Police Scotland

What happened?

Mr Wilson’s wife, Veronica, opened the door of the family’s Nairn home at around 7pm to a man who asked for Alistair by name.

The father-of-two came downstairs from reading his sons a bedtime story and was handed a blue envelope with “Paul” written on it.

He went inside for a brief conversation with his wife, and on returning to the door, was shot.

Mr Wilson was taken by ambulance to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness but died shortly after.

Who was Alistair Wilson?

Alistair Wilson was born and raised in North Ayrshire, attended Beith Primary and later Garnock Academy in Kilbirnie.

He went on to study accountancy and business law at the University of Stirling, before starting work after graduating at the Bank of Scotland.

He was sent to work in Fort William where he met and married his wife, Veronica.

They had two sons. The eldest, Andrew, was four at the time of his father’s murder.

Speaking around the 16th anniversary in 2020, Andrew told of his memories of seeing his dad lying on the doorstep “covered in blood”.

Alistair Wilson and his son Andrew. Police Scotland

He said: “My dad and I missed out on so many things together, showing me how to tie a tie, driving lessons and taking me for my first pint.

“Nothing can bring my dad back but knowing who did this and why could give us the closure we need.”

Police investigation

Over the years, detectives have followed up various lines of inquiry but who killed Mr Wilson remains a mystery.

The gunman was described as 5ft 7in, between 20 and 40 years old, stocky, and wearing a baseball cap and jacket.

Just over a week after Mr Wilson’s murder, a council road-sweeper sucked up the murder weapon – a vintage Czech-made automatic pistol – from a drain a mile from the scene.

The Haenel Suhl pocket pistol from the 1930s used in the shooting. Police Scotland

In March last year, Police Scotland announced it was carrying out witness interviews in Nova Scotia, Canada in relation to the case.

Detectives later revealed they believed his murder was linked to his personal life and not to his employment with the Bank of Scotland.

They said Mr Wilson’s objection to a retrospective planning application for a large decking area outside the Havelock Hotel opposite his home on Crescent Road “may be significant”.

Speaking on the 18th anniversary last year, Detective Superintendent Graeme Mackie of Police Scotland said: “The investigation is active and we continue to investigate any new information we receive.

“It cannot be stressed often enough that this crime has left a family devastated and we’re committed to finding the answers and bringing the offender to justice.”

He added: “Our thoughts are with Mr Wilson’s family at this difficult time of the year.”