Police end latest search for remains of MacRaes

Detectives searching for the bodies of a mother and son who were killed almost 50 years ago have now left land in the Highlands near the home of the man convicted of their murders.

Renee MacRae's car was found on fire in a lay-by near Dalmagarry Quarry, south of Inverness, on 12 November 1976 but there was no sign of her, or three-year-old Andrew.

The latest search spanned 10 days and covered land at Nairnside surrounding the former home of MacRae's lover William MacDowell, who was convicted of the murders of the pair in September 2022.

Police said that officers will continue to follow all available lines of inquiry to ensure the family of Renee and Andrew MacRae "get the answers they deserve."

MacDowell died five months after his conviction without revealing where he had disposed of Renee and Andrew's bodies.

Last week, police and military specialists focused on ground and woodland near MacDowell's former bungalow in Nairnside.

Teams used drones and mapping equipment as part of the search.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said previously that the Army was supporting Police Scotland and the National Crime Agency following a request for specialist expertise.

The case has been reinvestigated several times since 1976.

An extensive police investigation at the time involved searches of moorland and a flooded quarry.

Dalmagarry Quarry, which was searched during the initial murder investigation, was revisited by police in 2004.

Over the course of three weeks 35,0000 tonnes of earth and 2,000 trees were excavated and removed.

Last year, during another search at the same location, it was reported that a potty and carpet were found at the site.