Specialist British Army troops have been called in to join the search for a woman and her son who were killed nearly 50 years ago. Renee MacRae, 36, and her son Andrew, three, were murdered on November 12, 1976, but their remains were never found.

They had left their home in Inverness and the car owned by Mrs MacRae was found later that day on fire in a lay-by near Dalmagarry. In 2022, William MacDowell, who was involved in an affair with Mrs MacRae, was convicted of their murder, but he died just months later and never disclosed the location of their bodies. The Ministry of Defence has now said the Army is helping with the search for their bodies.

A spokesperson said: “The British Army are supporting Police Scotland and the National Crime Agency following a request for specialist expertise.”

Police Scotland’s Detective Superintendent Brian Geddes added: “Our investigation into the murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae remains ongoing and officers continue to examine all available lines of investigation.”