Ex-gamekeeper, 76, will stand trial accused of disabling CCTV and shooting dead dog walker

A retired gamekeeper is to stand trial accused of the gunshot murder of a dog walker at a remote rural footpath.

David Campbell denies shooting and killing James Brian Low, 65, in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, on February 16 last year.

Prosecutors have accused the 76-year-old of disabling CCTV cameras at Tigh Na Caorann in the town’s Crieff Road in an attempt to ‘attempt to conceal’ his whereabouts.

Campbell is accused of assaulting Mr Low at Leafy Lane near to the Pitilie Track ‘having previously evinced malice and ill-will towards him’ and ‘did discharge a shotgun at him whereby he was so severely injured that he died there and you did murder him’.

The pensioner faces a separate charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice following the death.

It includes a claim Campbell disposed of the shotgun at an unknown location.

The accused is said to have had two replacement tyres fitted onto an e-bike that he used during the alleged shooting.

Campbell also allegedly dumped a number of items including a box and a cartridge bag at Aberfeldy Recycling Centre.

James Brian Low, 65, was found dead in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, in February last year

Police at the scene where Mr Lows body was found last year

It is further claimed he disposed of an air gun - also at an unspecified location - that he had often discharged over a seven-year period at Tigh Na Caorann.

Campbell also faces five separate breach of the peace charges spanning between July 1995 and September 2012.

He is said to have acted in a disorderly manner putting four men and one woman in a ‘state of fear and alarm’.

It includes claims he threatened to shoot three of them, as well as a dog belonging to another.

Locations in these charges are the Edradynate Estate, The Square and Ardlach House, all in Aberfeldy as well as Scone Palace in Perth.

Yesterday the case called for a short hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

Tony Lenehan KC, defending, said: ‘Mr Campbell pleads not guilty to all the charges.’

The advocate also lodged a special defence of alibi in connection with the murder accusation.

Prosecutor John McElroy KC stated: ‘There has been extensive discussions and consultations between the parties.

‘There is a date for trial for February 2, 2026 in Glasgow. The estimation is for three weeks.

‘There are ongoing matters that the Crown has well in hand.’

Lady Drummond went on to fix the trial, and also set a further hearing to take place before then in August this year.

When Mr Low was first discovered dead, his death was treated as medically related but this changed six days later when a post mortem revealed he had been fatally shot.

He had been walking his black labrador Millie at the time of the incident - and was found dead just three days before his 66th birthday.

Police have since received criticism for how they handled the incident after taking ten days to reveal they had launched a murder investigation.

Their response is now being probed by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.

The death sent shockwaves through Aberfeldy, which is a popular tourist town of around only 2,000 people, and left his family devastated.

Neice Jacqui Low said: ‘His partner and brothers are devastated.

‘His devoted dog, Millie, stayed by his side for as long as she was allowed.’

Local postman Jedd Burkesaid: ‘He was one of the nicest guys I ever met.

‘He was brilliant. I couldn’t believe it when I heard the news.

‘He walked a black dog and he was a nice, genuine guy.’