Finlay MacDonald, a 41-year-old marine engineer, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 28 years for a series of brutal attacks in the Scottish Highlands that resulted in murder and attempted murder.
The violent spree began on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at MacDonald’s family home in Tarskavaig on the Isle of Skye. Suspecting his wife Rowena of having an affair, MacDonald became enraged after seeing text messages between her and her boss. He attacked her with a knife in the kitchen, stabbing her repeatedly while their four young children watched in horror. Despite being severely wounded, Rowena managed to reach her phone to raise the alarm.
After the attack on his wife, MacDonald drove to his sister Lyn Anne MacKinnon’s home in nearby Teangue. He entered the house and shot her husband, John MacKinnon, in the kitchen. John, a 47-year-old distillery worker, collapsed and died despite emergency services’ efforts.
MacDonald then drove 40 miles to Dornie, heading to the home of John MacKenzie, a retired osteopath whom he blamed for worsening a back injury. He shot 65-year-old Fay MacKenzie through a window. When her husband John returned home and realized something was wrong, he was shot in the back while trying to protect his wife.
However, the MacKenzies fought back. John wrestled the gun from MacDonald, and Fay struck him multiple times with a metal toilet roll holder. Police subsequently arrived and subdued MacDonald using a Taser and baton after a pepper spray-like substance proved ineffective.
During his trial, MacDonald denied all charges and claimed he was suffering from an abnormality of mind. The jury rejected his defense of diminished responsibility and found him guilty after deliberating for just over two hours.
Judge Lady Drummond acknowledged MacDonald’s health issues, which include autism, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. She noted that while these factors were considered, they did not excuse his actions. The judge also emphasized that the jury rejected his claim of being provoked by sexual infidelity.
The attacks sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Highland community. Reverend Gordon Matheson, who knew MacDonald through their children, described a feeling of betrayal. Local councillor John Finlayson highlighted the profound impact on the community, suggesting that the healing process would be long and challenging.
MacDonald, who had held a firearms license for 15 months and owned six guns, used a pump-action shotgun he had purchased for £625 to carry out the attacks. He told a forensic psychiatrist that he had difficulties dealing with people and saw himself as a victim, particularly referencing a previous fight with John MacKinnon that left him feeling humiliated.
