Gunman exposes flaws in rural policing after violent spree

In a tragic series of events on the Isle of Skye, a 41-year-old man named Finlay MacDonald committed multiple acts of violence, leading to his conviction for murder and attempted murder. This incident unfolded when MacDonald attacked his wife, Rowena, at their residence in Tarskavaig, where he repeatedly stabbed her. Following this, he escalated his violence by shooting and killing his brother-in-law, John MacKinnon, in Teangue. The rampage did not end there, as MacDonald continued driving to Dornie on the mainland, where he shot John MacKenzie and his wife, Fay, at their home. The whole ordeal raised significant concerns about the response of local law enforcement. Officers pursued MacDonald in two marked police cars but were instructed not to intervene and to await armed backup from Inverness instead. This decision has led to criticisms of rural policing protocols, as it appears that the safety of the public was compromised during the delay. Ultimately, the violent actions of Finlay MacDonald and the subsequent failure of the police to take immediate action have shone a light on the urgent need for reassessment of rural policing strategies in Scotland.