Murder trial told of dog walker's body discovery

The murder trial of a head gamekeeper accused of shooting a former colleague has heard of the discovery of his body on a remote Perthshire path.

The trial heard that Brian Low's body had blood on it and was "cold and stiff to touch".

David Campbell, 77, is accused of murdering the 65-year-old dog walker by shooting him at the Leafy Lane near the Pitilie Track, Aberfeldy, on 16 February 2024.

He denies a total of eight charges and has lodged a special defence of alibi on the murder charge at the High Court in Glasgow.

Jurors heard that Low's body was first discovered around 08:30 on 17 February 2024.

Witness Kevin Timoney knew Low and would often stop to chat with him most mornings while out walking his dogs.

Timoney was on the Pitilie Track in the direction of Leafy Lane when he passed the retired groundsman's home in Aberfeldy.

He would usually hear Low's dog bark, but did not on this occasion.

In a joint minute of agreed facts between the prosecution and defence lawyers, Crown junior Alan Innes said Low's pet came up to Timoney as he walked.

Innes said: "At Leafy Lane, near to the Pitilie Track, he saw a person - then unknown to him - lying on the ground.

"He shouted to ask if the person was ok. He approached and identified them as James Brian Low.

"The deceased had blood on him, was unresponsive as well as cold and stiff to touch. Kevin Timoney placed his jacket over him and ran to nearby houses to attempt to seek help."

Timoney spoke with a woman and asked her to call police. He also put a blanket over Low and waited with him until emergency services arrived.

Two 999 calls were made - one to the police, the other for an ambulance.

An iPhone discovered in Low's pocket was analysed and "no movement data" was logged on the device between 16:52 on 16 February and 11:26 on 17 February 2024.

In earlier evidence, the trial heard that Campbell once suspected Low of "planting" items allegedly found during a raid on his home.

David Campbell was said to have been "very angry" at the search of the cottage on the Edradynate Estate in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, where both he and Brian Low had been employed.

The court heard how Campbell's home had been raided on a date before 2010 due to incidents of suspected bird poisoning on the estate.

Campbell was employed as the head gamekeeper at the Edradynate Estate between May 1984 and February 2018, and Brian Low was employed as a groundsman there between August 2000 and February 2023.

Jurors heard from witness Kerry Colvin, 59, who knew both men from visiting the Edradynate Estate.

Prosecutor Greg Farrell asked Colvin if Campbell had ever said anything to her about Low that had been concerning.

She said "yes" and described an incident which "would have been prior to 2010".

Colvin said: "When Edradynate had been raided, the police search, David had told me that he was very angry that his grandchildren's clothes had been removed from a boot room.

"He was concerned that Brian had put something in the children's clothes.

"I cannot remember what it was, but something had been put in the coats that were in the boot room."

Farrell said: "David Campbell suspected that Brian Low had planted something in the children's clothing that had been taken by the police?"

The witness, who testified from behind screens, replied "Yes".

Colvin said Campbell spoke about this "more than once" with the "same tone...anger, annoyance".

The trial heard further information about the raid that occurred.

A police statement taken from Michael Campbell - the former "laird" of the Edradynate Estate - in April 2024 was read to jurors.

The 81-year-old, who has since died, told officers that David Campbell said there had been reports of birds found poisoned on the estate.

In the statement, he mentioned incidents where dead birds had been found and said "the finger was always pointed at David", whose house he said was raided by police and the RSPB.

He stated there was "nothing in his mind" to believe David Campbell, who was no relation, had been responsible.

However, the home of the accused was searched amid claims it led to him eventually being "locked up" for around 28 hours.

Michael Campbell added in his statement: "David was really aggrieved about the raid and implied that Brian had planted the stuff in his house.

"Clothing had been seized - once it was returned there were items that did not belong to him, which, again, made him suspicious that someone had planted it."

A letter which Michael Campbell wrote to Low on 3 May 2011 was also read out in court.

The letter said he was saddened to hear Low had been saying "extremely unpleasant things" about David Campbell and his wife.

He said Low had prejudiced his situation by indulging in "cruel gossip and expression of antipathy" towards Campbell and his wife.

He said that the letter was a formal warning to Low that he could be dismissed if there were any more such incidents.

The court heard that before Campbell retired "things had started to go a bit downhill" and that he did not leave the estate on "good terms".

Campbell, of Aberfeldy, is accused of murdering Low, having previously shown ill-will and malice toward him.

He is alleged to have disabled CCTV cameras at an address in Aberfeldy on the same day, in an attempt to conceal his whereabouts.

He is also accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of the alleged murder weapon and an airgun, and having replacement tyres fitted on an electric bike between February and May 2024.

Campbell is further accused of possessing an air rifle without a licence and discharging it on various occasions, and faces five charges of breach of the peace dating back to July 1995.

He is alleged to have acted in a disorderly manner putting three men and two women in a "state of fear and alarm".

Campbell's legal team has lodged a special defence of alibi in connection with the murder accusation.

It is said Campbell was not in Leafy Lane at the time of the alleged killing and was instead at home in Aberfeldy.

The trial before Lord Scott continues.