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Event to mark 40th anniversary of mysterious death of Willie McRae

 The National 31st March 2025, By James Walker, https://www.thenational.scot/news/25052033.event-mark-40th-anniversary-mysterious-death-willie-mcrae/

AN EVENT is to be held in the Highlands to mark the anniversary of the mysterious death of Willie McRae.

In 1980, McRae – a top lawyer and senior SNP member – made headlines after representing a group opposed to dumping nuclear waste in the Ayrshire hills at a public inquiry.

He won, and the victory proved a major setback in plans for having nuclear waste buried across the UK.

But on the evening of Good Friday, April 5, 1985, McRae set off from his flat in Glasgow’s southside for his holiday cottage close to Dornie in Wester Ross. He never arrived.

Instead, on April 6, his car was found by the side of the road. He was in the front seat with a bullet through his right temple.

On Sunday, April 7, McRae died without ever regaining consciousness.

A post-mortem concluded suicide, but questions have persisted for decades. A gun was not found when the scene was first visited by the police, but was when the scene was searched the following week.

Now, a group of Yessers is looking to hold an event to draw new attention to McRae’s case.

“Forty years has passed since a man was found dying on a Highland road in mysterious circumstances. Not just any man, but a seeker of justice and a thorn in the side of the establishment,” Pete Smith, an event organiser and a member of Yes Highlands and Islands, told The National.

He added: “Willie McRae took a massive secret to his grave and we intend to seek justice for McRae by demanding a public enquiry into the case.”

There are six speakers lined up, including Ron Culley whose book Firebrand examines the McRae case in detail and is also mentioned on the flyer which has been created for the event (above).

A piper and – reportedly – a film crew will also be in attendance. 

The organisers also wished to stress that this is not an independence event, although added that the “quest for Scotland’s self governance is of course linked to this killing”. 

The event will be held at the Willie McRae Memorial Cairn, on the A87 at the side of Loch Lorne, at 12 noon on April 5.

Attendees will then head to the nearby Invergarry Hotel for speeches – with those wishing to attend asked to register via Eventbrite due to limited space. 

Organisers were also keen to highlight that parking is limited near the cairn.

April 3, 2025 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Events, history, secrets,lies and civil liberties