The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Hearing set for pensioner accused of Renee murder
Court: Man, 77, to appear at the High Court over 43-year-old disappearance
A pensioner accused of murdering Renee MacRae and her son will appear in court next month.
William MacDowell is accused of killing the 36-year-old and her three-year-old son Andrew more than 40 years ago.
The pair were last seen driving out of Inverness on November 12 1976 and Ms MacRae’s BMW was later found burned out in a lay-by on the A9 near Dalmagarry.
Last year, police began a detailed forensic search of Leanach Quarry, near Inverness.
No trace of Mrs MacRae or Andrew has been found.
But in September last year, officers arrested MacDowell at his home in the north of England.
The 77-year-old, of Penrith, faces two charges of murder and two of perverting the course of justice.
A preliminary hearing will be held at the High Court in Glasgow on October 12.
Last year, detectives signalled their intention to drain Leanach Quarry, near Inverness, as part of their investigations into the 43-year-old mystery.
About 13 million litres of water was drained from the flooded quarry and sediment and silt were removed for detailed forensic examination.
Police also announced in July last year how more than 300 key witnesses were to be reexamined, with some from
“The 77-year-old, of Penrith, faces two charges of murder”
as far away as Spain being interviewed.
Mrs MacRae, the wife of Inverness businessman Gordon, and her young son Andrew went missing on November 12 1976 – almost 44 years ago.
Her blue BMW was found ablaze in a lay-by at Dalmagarry, an area 10 miles south of Inverness on the A9, sparking a massive inquiry.
A nearby earth quarry was also excavated more than 15 years ago by the then Northern Constabulary on the instructions of its chief constable Iain Latimer.