Edradynate Estate – Raptor Persecution UK

Some commentary on the murder conviction of ex-Head Gamekeeper David Campbell

Two days ago, a jury at the High Court in Glasgow returned a guilty verdict in the trial of former Head Gamekeeper David Campbell, 77, who had been accused of murdering his ex-colleague from Edradynate Estate, Brian Low, after ambushing him and shooting him in the chest and neck with a shotgun on a remote woodland track near Aberfeldy on 16 February 2024.

Former Head Gamekeeper and now convicted murderer David Campbell. (Photo by Police Scotland)

The circumstances of this horrific murder were shocking and understandably Campbell’s conviction made the headlines in widespread news coverage yesterday. For example:

But for many living in the rural area around Edradynate Estate, near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, and those who have been investigating wildlife crime on Edradynate Estate for decades, Campbell’s conviction came as no surprise whatsoever.

During his 33-years of employment as Head Gamekeeper on Edradynate Estate (1984-2017), Campbell was at the centre of at least 22 police investigations into the alleged poisoning, shooting and trapping of birds of prey, as well as firearms offences. I say alleged – what I mean is that there is no question whatsoever that raptors were illegally killed on that estate, over a period of three decades, but nobody was ever convicted for any of it and David Campbell had always denied any involvement.

Here’s a blog I wrote in 2017, after the Crown Office had dropped another prosecution against an Edradynate Estate gamekeeper relating to the alleged poisoning of Buzzards in 2015, despite a plea from Police Scotland to pursue a prosecution:

Edradynate Estate has been at the centre of investigations for alleged wildlife crime for a very, very long time. In 2002, the estate’s Head gamekeeper and underkeeper were arrested and charged with nine offences relating to the use of poisoned baits and also bird cruelty, including the use of spring traps. However, on 22 July 2004, two years after the original arrests and 13 court hearings later, the Crown Office dropped the case (sound familiar?). A COPFS spokeswoman later admitted that the time taken to prepare the case had been a major factor in the decision to scrap it (see here).

In July 2010, a poisoned red kite was discovered. An un-named gamekeeper from the estate (who said he was a member of the Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association) claimed the bird had been ‘planted’. It also emerged that in addition to the poisoned red kite, over the previous 15 years, 9 buzzards, 2 sparrowhawks, 2 crows, 1 gull, 1 tawny owl, 1 pole cat, and 1 domestic cat, had all been found poisoned in the area. Twelve poisoned baits (Carbofuran, Mevinphos and Alphachloralose) had also been discovered (see here). Nobody was prosecuted for any of this.

In March 2011, two poisoned buzzards, two poisoned crows, and two Carbofuran-laced pheasant baits were discovered. A gamekeeper was taken for questioning but he was later released without charge (here).

In February 2012 an Edradynate Estate gamekeeper was charged with a number of alleged firearms and explosives offences (see here). However, in September 2012 the Crown deserted the case without providing an explanation (see here). Gosh, this is becoming quite a habit, isn’t it?

Writing about the Crown Office’s decision in 2017 to drop the case against Campbell for the alleged poisoning of Buzzards on Edradynate in 2015, former Police Wildlife Crime Officer Alan Stewart wrote on his blog,

‘This has been the fourth case in relation to the poisoning of raptors submitted to the fiscal against the same accused. I submitted the first Edradynate case in 1994 but it was always going to be short of evidence of identification. The fiscal sat on it in case anything further was discovered that would help the case but had to drop it at the end of the time bar, which at that time was 6 months‘

and

‘I was involved in a further search, which I think was in the month of March. Two or three dead (poisoned) buzzards were found and there were a couple of pheasant baits recovered as well. No pesticides were found but we took samples from the accused’s vehicle and from various items of his clothing. Traces of pesticide were found in the vehicle and on several items of clothing, including from an item he was wearing when he was detained. It was a reasonable circumstantial case, which I thought would be clinched with the pesticide traces on the clothing worn by the accused. I suspect that identification, which is always crucial, was again considered to be the stumbling block. This case was eventually dropped as well‘

and

‘Between 1993 and 2011 I am aware of 14 poisoned baits involving the banned pesticides carbofuran, mevinphos and alpha-chloralose being found on Edradynate estate. There have also been 31 poisoned victims including 17 buzzards, 4 carrion crows, 2 sparrowhawks, 2 tawny owls, a domestic cat, a common gull, a red kite and a polecat found either on the estate or very close to its boundary. I doubt if anyone would disagree that this number of baits and victims were the very tip of the iceberg. I doubt also if anyone would think that someone was ‘coming in off the street’ and dumping all these dead creatures on the estate to cause trouble‘.

In 2018, Police Scotland issued an appeal for information after three dogs and two Buzzards were ‘deliberately poisoned’ between October 2017 and April 2018 around the Edradynate and Pitnacree Estates area (see here). Campbell was no longer working on the estate by this time (see discussion below) and there was local speculation that someone was trying to set up the new Head Gamekeeper but as far as I’m aware, nobody was prosecuted. I’m not aware of any further raptor persecution incidents at Edradynate since the new gamekeeping team was employed.

Alongside the reports of rampant raptor persecution at Edradynate over many, many years, there were stories relating to Campbell’s alleged threatening behaviour towards locals. The court heard some of that testimony during Campbell’s murder trial, although those charges were dropped on the last day of his trial. Further evidence of Campbell’s alleged behaviour was reported by Alan Stewart in one of his books – see here, and this is really worth a read.

It is apparent that many locals were terrified of Campbell, too scared to speak out for fear of retaliation of what he might do to them, or their beloved pets. One individual I’ve spoken to, who wishes to remain anonymous, tells a story of dogs being poisoned and shot and a claim about how Campbell was allegedly seen drowning a dog in a peat hag after it didn’t do as it was told.

Some speak of Campbell’s alleged ‘reign of terror’ in this small rural community and if their testimonies are true, it paints a picture of violence being normalised and being beyond the reach of the law.

The only time Edradynate Estate was held to account was when SNH (now NatureScot) imposed a three-year General Licence restriction in 2017 (see here), assumed to be in relation to the alleged poisoning of Buzzards in 2015 – the case that the Crown Office refused to prosecute.

One of the poisoned Buzzards found in 2015 (photo RPUK)

Despite the widely publicised and appalling catalogue of wildlife crime on Edradynate Estate, reported over several decades, the game shooting industry apparently turned a blind eye.

The Scottish Gamekeepers Association accepted at least two donations from the estate owner, Michael Campbell (no relation to gamekeeper David Campbell and recently deceased); one in 2014 and one in 2015. Surely the SGA was aware of the long history of allegations made about this estate? Perhaps they didn’t care. As there hadn’t been a single conviction they could conveniently ignore the allegations and continue to accept the donations and continue to sit around the table at so-called ‘partnership’ meetings claiming to be doing all they could to eradicate raptor persecution.

Edradynate Estate was featured in the Fieldsports magazine in 2014, where one of the named guns was Robbie Douglas-Miller – surely not this one?

In 2020 Edradynate Estate was endorsed by the British Game Alliance, the game shooting industry’s own ‘assurance’ scheme (at the time), membership of which is supposed to indicate ‘rigorous and ethical standards’.

Screen grab from Edradynate Estate website 2020

And in 2023, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) accepted an auction donation from Edradynate Estate owner Michael Campbell with an estimated value of £2,500.

GWCT Scotland Dinner-Auction-2023-Catalogue Download

By February 2017, David Campbell’s employment as Head Gamekeeper at Edradynate Estate had ended, reportedly after his relationship with owner Michael Campbell had deteriorated and he was ‘removed from his job‘. Later that year David Campbell was charged with maliciously poisoning game cover crops on the estate as an ‘act of revenge’, a charge he denied, and of which he was ultimately cleared after the court ruled the case against him had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt (here).

In the sentencing remarks after gamekeeper Campbell’s recent conviction for murder, Judge Lord Scott said this:

“You have no previous convictions. This appalling and senseless act of extreme wickedness casts a shadow over what seems to have been a long life spent by you in gainful employment and some benefit to the community“.

I do wonder on what background information Lord Scott based this statement. Whilst it’s true that Campbell had no previous convictions, it is indisputable that he was a suspect in multiple crime investigations spanning several decades, and that many in the local community lived in fear of him. And at some point his firearms and shotgun licences had been revoked, presumably on evidence that his suitability was questioned and/or he was considered a risk to public safety.

I understand that following Campbell’s murder conviction, Alan Stewart is preparing a new book. I also understand that a TV production company was granted permission to film during the trial inside Glasgow’s High Court for a documentary about this case.

According to an exclusive article in The Courier yesterday, David Campbell is expected to mount an appeal against his murder conviction and it is anticipated that he will lodge formal paperwork with the Court of Appeal in the coming days.

Stepping away from the tragic murder of Brian Low, there are wider, more general implications to consider.

It is extensively evidenced that there’s a strong link between violence towards animals and violence towards humans. I think ‘violence towards animals’ in this context often refers to issues of illegal animal cruelty (e.g. Badger baiting, putting pets inside microwaves etc) but personally I would also define the routine duties of a gamekeeper as qualifying as ‘violence towards animals’, even though much of this activity is still considered legal in the UK.

I fully accept that some people will disagree with this opinion, and may argue that those who have been granted firearms/shotgun licences, as most (all?) gamekeepers have, are subject to rigorous police checks of their character and suitability. However, you’ve only got to look at the number of wildlife crimes that include the use of a firearm/shotgun, let alone the murder of innocent people by firearm certificate holders, to know that the system isn’t fit for purpose.

I recently read an analysis produced by the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) about polycriminality in wildlife crime offenders in the UK, which suggested that a significant proportion (59% of offenders) are also linked to violent offending against humans, ranging from low level common assaults to attempted murder, murder and kidnap. (Unfortunately I don’t think this report is available in the public domain).

Wildlife & Countryside LINK is using this analysis to push for a series of recommendations for the government to improve policing resources for tackling wildlife crime, which in turn should increase public safety as well as the safety of wildlife and the environment.

WCL_Wildlife_Crime_2025_Executive_summary Download

Sentencing remarks & statement from Police Scotland after conviction of gamekeeper David Campbell for shotgun murder of ex-colleague

Further to yesterday’s news that David Campbell, 77, the former Head Gamekeeper of Edradynate Estate in Perthshire was convicted of the shotgun murder of his former estate colleague, Brian Low, two years ago, the judge’s sentencing remarks have been published and Police Scotland has issued a statement.

Retired Head Gamekeeper and now convicted murderer David Campbell (photo by Police Scotland)

Lord Scott’s sentencing remarks:

“You have been found guilty of the murder of James Brian Low, known as Brian Low, on a quiet country lane near Aberfeldy on 16 February 2024, just over 2 years ago. You did not encounter Brian Low by chance that day, and you did not just happen to have a shotgun with you. On the evidence, the jury decided that it was proved beyond reasonable doubt that, in a carefully premeditated act, you murdered an unarmed and defenceless man by discharging a shotgun at him, causing such severe injuries that he died where he fell. You did this having earlier disabled CCTV cameras in your home in an attempt to conceal your whereabouts that day.

There was no provocation for what you did. You murdered a man who offered no threat to you. You did this having told people over several years how much you hated him or loathed him or blamed him for the change in your fortunes which followed police attention to the estate where you were head gamekeeper for over 30 years. After some time, and things you blamed him for, you left the estate although you felt that you were sacked. The bitterness and grudge you bore towards Brian Low, reflected in some of the things you said about him, did not diminish over time. Indeed, it seems to have become more intense, leading you to plan and carry out the sort of killing that was referred to in a relevant decision of the Appeal Court as “a targeted assassination” or “a pre-planned execution with a victim who was unarmed and unaware of the fate which was about to befall him.

The murder weapon was never found, undoubtedly disposed of by you along with other incriminating items in calm and calculated efforts to conceal your crime and remove any evidence in its immediate aftermath.

It may be that, given serious errors in the early stages of police inquiries, you thought initially that you had got away with murder. If so, you were wrong. From the point of the first effort at autopsy, it became clear that Brian Low’s death was not due to natural causes. From that point on, despite successful efforts to dispose of key evidence and cover some of your tracks, it seems inevitable that suspicion would start to focus on you given, among other things, the views you held about Brian Low which you made no secret of until you came to give evidence.

You lied to the police, attempting to avoid the obvious conclusion from some of what you had done by alleging a police conspiracy to lose what you claimed would have been exculpatory evidence. By the time of the trial, it had occurred even to you that some of those lies were ludicrous and would never be believed, so you adapted your evidence in court to try to counter some of the incriminating facts, veering sharply away from some of your earlier lies and even some of your apparent trial strategy.

When you murdered him, Brian Low was 65 years old. There are 2 moving Victim Impact Statements, prepared by Brian Low’s partner, Pamela Curran and his older brother, Douglas Low.

Pamela Curran describes the significant impact on her life of the loss of her partner. She feels sad every day and misses Brian. It is hard for her to think she will never see him again. You robbed her of the chance to say goodbye. She will not now go out after dark. She is stressed, tearful and cannot concentrate or relax properly. In March last year, she was contemplating trying to see a counsellor for the impact on her mental health. Her closest friend told her, “the spark has gone out of your eyes, you just appear sad. It’s heartbreaking”. Without Brian’s financial contribution, she thought that she would have to find somewhere else to stay and leave the home she loved and in which she formed many happy memories with Brian.

Douglas Low describes the profound and lasting impact on him and his family of their traumatic loss through murder. He says he is changed forever. Brian Low’s family are understandably devastated. Douglas Low says his heart is broken, with an overwhelming sense of loss and grief “that words cannot express”. Brian was a best friend, a confidante, and almost like a son to him due to their 10 year age gap. He says that, “His kindness, old-fashioned honesty and sense of humour were refreshing and always welcomed”. He still misses their weekly Sunday catch-ups. Brian Low’s family are left with many questions, not least why anyone would want to murder him so callously. What you did robbed Brian Low, Pamela Curran and Brian Low’s family of the life he had planned for retirement.

Douglas Low says, “He touched many lives with his warmth and presence, and those who loved him now live in sorrow, trying to come to terms with the cruel reality of his absence”.

Brian Low was clearly a much loved partner, brother, uncle, friend and colleague. It is obvious that no sentence I can impose will be enough to help Brian Low’s loved ones with their traumatic loss.

David Campbell, you are 77 years old and, at the time of the murder, were 75. You have no previous convictions. This appalling and senseless act of extreme wickedness casts a shadow over what seems to have been a long life spent by you in gainful employment and some benefit to the community.

Understandably, Mr Lenehan was simply unable to find anything to say on your behalf today in view of the jury’s verdict.

The sentence for murder is prescribed by law and is a life sentence. I require, however, to specify a punishment part which is the period you must serve before you can be considered for parole. Having regard to the premeditated nature of this murder, I have decided that the appropriate punishment part is 19 years. That takes into account all relevant factors, including your age. Had it not been for your age, the punishment part would have been greater.

You should understand that this is not a sentence of 19 years imprisonment. It is a life sentence. 19 years represents the minimum time you will have to serve before you can even be considered for parole. Given the date when the sentence will commence, that period of 19 years will keep you in prison to the age of 94 at least. Whether you are released then or ever will be a matter for the Parole Board to determine after that 19 year period has elapsed, based on the risk you are assessed to pose at that time.

The sentence will date from 27 May 2024“.

ENDS

I’ll come back to this part of Lord Scott’s statement in a separate blog:

Statement by Police Scotland:

David Campbell has been found guilty of murdering Brian Low in Aberfeldy, Perthshire.

Mr Low, 65, was fatally shot while out walking his dog in the Pitilie area in the afternoon of Friday, 16 February, 2024.

Today, Wednesday, 25 February, 2026, 77-year-old Campbell was told he will spend at least 19 years behind bars before being eligible for parole.

Detective Chief Superintendent Lorna Ferguson, Police Scotland’s Head of Local Crime, and the senior investigating officer for the case, said:

“This was a complex and challenging investigation involving a number of specialist officers and staff from Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority who worked tirelessly to piece together the events leading up to Mr Low’s murder.

“A team of 31 officers from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, the local policing division and specialist search colleagues were involved in the three-month investigation.

“Detectives examined 2400 hours of CCTV footage, captured around 1000 statements and visited almost 500 properties as part of extensive enquiries to establish what happened and who was responsible for Mr Low’s death.

“Expert witnesses in ballistics, biology, chemistry and cybercrime, also played a crucial role in building evidence in the case against Campbell.

“I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge that our initial response to this tragic incident fell short of what Police Scotland and the public rightly expects. We have reflected and we have learned from what happened.

“This learning included a complete review of all policies and procedures around attendance at unexplained deaths as we take steps to try and prevent something like this happening again.

“Our thoughts today are very much with Mr Low’s family and I would welcome the opportunity to apologise to them personally for our initial response to his death.

“They have described Brian as a much-loved partner and grandfather, who will be very much missed by all who knew him. They acknowledge the conviction at court today and have asked their privacy to be respected as they continue to process and grieve.

“Violent crimes are extremely rare in the Aberfeldy area, and I know this incident caused shock and fear within the local community. I want to thank all those living locally for their patience and support throughout our investigation, which saw extensive police activity for a long period of time in what is a quiet tourist town. Your information was vital in helping to trace the person responsible“.

ENDS

UPDATE 27 Feb 2026: Some commentary on the murder conviction of ex-Head Gamekeeper David Campbell (here)

Scottish gamekeeper David Campbell found guilty of murdering ex-colleague from Edradynate Estate, Perthshire

BREAKING NEWS…..

After a 13-day trial at the High Court in Glasgow, David Campbell, 77, the former Head Gamekeeper on Edradynate Estate in Perthshire, has been found guilty of murdering his former colleague, Brian Low, 65, by shooting him with a shotgun as Mr Low walked his dog on a remote footpath near Aberfeldy on 16 February 2024.

Brian Low (on the left) was murdered by former gamekeeper David Campbell

Campbell has been jailed for life and must serve a minimum term of 19 years before he is eligible for release. He will almost certainly die in prison.

Campbell had originally faced eight charges, including murder, breaches of the peace and attempting to defeat the ends of justice. However, all but the murder charge were dropped on the last day of his trial.

This is breaking news. I’ll be writing more about David Campbell and the long history of raptor persecution incidents recorded at Edradynate Estate, some of which resulted in prosecution, some of which didn’t, but none of which ever resulted in a conviction.

I know that many people in the area were terrified of Campbell and his apparent invincibility. Their fear was justified. I dare say that many of them will be breathing a sigh of relief after today’s verdict.

UPDATE 26 Feb 2026: Sentencing remarks & statement from Police Scotland after conviction of gamekeeper David Campbell for shotgun murder of ex-colleague (here)

UPDATE 27 Feb 2026: Some commentary on the murder conviction of ex-Head Gamekeeper David Campbell (here)

Murder trial due to begin: former Head Gamekeeper David Campbell of Edradynate Estate accused of killing ex-colleague with shotgun

A long-awaited murder trial is expected to get underway this coming week at the High Court in Glasgow.

David Campbell, 76, the former Head Gamekeeper at Edradynate Estate near Aberfeldy, Perthshire is accused of murdering a former colleague, groundsman Brian Low, whilst Mr Low was walking his dog on Leafy Lane, near the Pitilie Track close to Aberfeldy in February 2024 (see here for background).

It is alleged that Campbell did this after disabling CCTV cameras at Tigh Na Caorann, Crieff Road, Aberfeldy, in an “attempt to conceal” his whereabouts.

Both the accused and alleged victim were formerly employed on Edradynate Estate, Perthshire. Photo by Ruth Tingay

At a pre-trial hearing in November 2025, the court heard that Campbell faces a separate charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice following Mr Low’s alleged murder. It is alleged between 16 February and 24 May 2024 he disposed of an Walther RM8 Rotex airgun – for which he allegedly did not have a certificate – at an unknown location.

He is further said to have got rid of the shotgun and a gun bag, also at a spot unknown to prosecutors.

Campbell is also accused of going to Crighton’s Cycles, Blairgowrie, and having two replacement tyres fitted on an electric bicycle, which prosecutors believe was used by him in the commission of the murder.

It is also alleged that Campbell disposed of a box, cartridge bag and bicycle tyres at Aberfeldy Recycling Centre.

Campbell further faces five breach of the peace allegations dating back to the mid-90s.

It is alleged some time in July 1995, he threatened a man called Alan Stewart and placed him in a state of fear and alarm.

Prosecutors further allege that on a date between 1 March and 31 May 1997, Campbell conducted himself in a disorderly manner at the Edradynate Estate, Aberfeldy and threatened to shoot worker Gregor Forrest.

Campbell has also been accused of threatening to shoot another man, Richard Wright, also at Edradynate Estate between 1 June and 31 August 1999.

It is further alleged that between 1 June and 30 September 2011, Campbell threatened to shoot a fourth man, Maksymillan Konchanski, at The Square, Aberfeldy.

And he is also accused of threatening to shoot a woman’s dog at Ardlach House, Aberfeldy, sometime between 1 June and 30 September 2012.

Campbell has previously pleaded not guilty to all charges and his defence advocate, Tony Lenehan KC, has lodged a special defence of alibi in connection with the murder charge.

Campbell has been held on remand since May 2024.

The trial is expected to last for three weeks in front of Lord Scott and had been listed for 2nd February 2026. However, court documents show it is currently listed as a ‘dedicated floating trial’, which means that rather than having to begin on a specific date, the case can start within a ‘floating period’ (usually a week) of that date. This flexibility is to facilitate the availability of a judge and court room to ensure a continuous schedule.

NB: As this case is live, comments have been turned off until criminal proceedings have concluded.

MEDIA COVERAGE OF TRIAL

Day 1 (Weds 4 Feb 2026)

Murder trial accused ‘threatened former police officer’ (BBC News here)

Former gamekeeper, 77,, accused of shotgun murder of retired groundsman Brian Low ‘loathed’ victim, court hears (Sky News here)

Day 2 (Thurs 5 Feb 2026)

Murder trial told of dog walker’s body discovery (BBC News here)

Alleged killer thought murder victim was trying to set him up, court told (Sky News here)

Day 3 (Fri 6 Feb 2026)

Aberfeldy shotgun death initially deemed non-suspicious (BBC News here)

Day 4 (Mon 9 Feb 2026)

Murder trial shown accused covering doorbell camera (BBC News here)

CCTV at murder suspect’s home went off on morning of alleged shooting, court hears (Sky News here)

Day 5 (Tues 10 Feb 2026)

Murder accused ‘believed he would get arrested’ (BBC News here)

Day 7 (Thurs 12 Feb 2026)

Wife blows kiss to murder accused before giving evidence (BBC News here)

Wife ‘can’t remember’ if husband had grievances with his alleged murder victim, court hears (Sky News here)

Day 8 (Fri 13 Feb 2026)

Accused ‘first heard of man’s murder on the news’ (BBC News here)

Murder suspect branded police ‘desperate’ when accused of shooting ex-colleague dead, court hears (Sky News here)

Day 9 (Mon 16 Feb 2026)

Murder trial jury told of dog walker’s shotgun injuries (BBC News here)

Day 10 (Tues 17 Feb 2026)

Murder accused ‘did not get on’ with alleged shooting victim (BBC News here)

Aberfeldy murder suspect admits he ‘didn’t like’ man he is accused of shooting dead, court hears (Sky News here)

Day 11 (Weds 18 Feb 2026)

Shooting murder accused says police inquiry was ‘monumental shambles’ (BBC News here)

Aberfeldy murder suspect accused of shooting ex-colleague dead brands police probe ‘monumental shambles’ (Sky News here)

Day 12 (Thurs 19 Feb 2026)

Accused denies murdering ex-colleague ‘out of sheer malice’ (BBC News here)

Aberfeldy murder suspect denies shooting ex-colleague out of ‘sheer malice’ as he rebukes prosecutor for calling him a ‘liar’ (Sky News here)

Day 13 (Fri 20 Feb 2026)

Closing speeches heard in Aberfeldy murder trial (BBC News here)

UPDATE 25 February 2026: Scottish gamekeeper David Campbell found guilty of murdering ex-colleague from Edradynate Estate, Perthshire (here)

UPDATE 26 Feb 2026: Sentencing remarks & statement from Police Scotland after conviction of gamekeeper David Campbell for shotgun murder of ex-colleague (here)

UPDATE 27 Feb 2026: Some commentary on the murder conviction of ex-Head Gamekeeper David Campbell (here)

Pre-trial hearing for ex-gamekeeper accused of shotgun murder of former colleague

There was a virtual pre-trial hearing at Glasgow High Court yesterday in the case against David Campbell, the former Head Gamekeeper of Edradynate Estate in Perthshire, who is accused of murdering a former colleague, Brian Low, whilst Mr Low was walking his dog on Leafy Lane, near the Pitilie Track close to Aberfeldy in February 2024 (see here for background).

The pre-trial hearing, before Lord Cubie, heard that one of the prosecution witnesses, Michael Campbell (no relation, and believed to be the owner of Edradynate Estate) has since died, but the case continues.

Both the accused and victim were formerly employed on Edradynate Estate, Perthshire. Photo by Ruth Tingay

David Campbell, now 76, is alleged to have discharged a shotgun at 65-year-old retired groundsman Brian Low, leaving him so severely hurt he died at the scene. It is alleged that Campbell did this after disabling CCTV cameras at Tigh Na Caorann, Crieff Road, Aberfeldy, in an “attempt to conceal” his whereabouts.

Campbell faces a separate charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice following Mr Low’s alleged murder. It is alleged between 16 February and 24 May 2024 he disposed of an Walther RM8 Rotex airgun – for which he allegedly did not have a certificate – at an unknown location.