Isle of Skye gun rampager accused of repeatedly stabbing his wife before murdering his brother-in-law and shooting married couple goes on trial

The trial of a man accused of going on a gun rampage that killed one person and left three others fighting for their lives has started. 

Finlay MacDonald is alleged to have murdered his brother-in-law, John MacKinnon, 47, at his home in Teangue, Skye, on August 10, 2022.

The 41-year-old is also accused of repeatedly stabbing his own wife Rowena MacDonald, 33, earlier in the day in the village of Tarskavaig on the island.

Prosecutors also claim he shot at married couple John and Fay MacKenzie on the mainland as part a shooting spree, and that he had previously shown malice and ill-will towards at least one of the victims.

The defendant has been charged with one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder, all of which he denies.

John MacKinnon (pictured) was shot dead by a gunman on August 10, 2022. His brother-in-law Finlay MacDonald is accused of murder

MacDonald is also accused of the attempted murder of his wife, Rowena MacDonald, 32, who suffered serious stab injuries in an attack at her home

John D MacKenzie and Fay MacKenzie (pictured together) were also attacked the same day during the alleged shooting spree

A forensic team carried out an investigation into the incident at a property in the Dornie area following the shootings in August 2022

An Edinburgh court today heard how MacDonald allegedly discharged multiple shotgun rounds at his brother-in-law John MacKinnon, as the father-of-six tried to save others nearby.

However, MacDonald launched a special defence against this charge, claiming that his ability to control his conduct was substantially impaired by reason of abnormality of mind.

The judge then informed the court that should the jury believe his defence, that MacDonald could still be convicted of an alternative charge of culpable homicide.

During the alleged shooting spree, MacDonald also reportedly took aim at married couple John and Fay MacKenzie in the Highland village of Dornie, however the pair managed to escape with their lives.

MacDonald is also denying a further charge of possessing of a shotgun with intent thereof to endanger life.

The trial will continue over the coming days in front of Judge Lady Drummond.