Manhunt launched after man, 65, is shot dead while walking his dog

27 February 2024 , 22:51

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Police investigate the death of a dog walker near Aberfeldy, Scotland (Image: Perthshire Advertiser)

A murder probe is underway after a 65-year-old man was shot dead as he walked his dog.

Brian Low was pronounced dead at the scene after he was gunned down near Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross on Saturday, February 17 at around 8.30am. Now, nearly 10 days later, police have opened a murder probe as it tries to get Mr Low's family answers.

Mr Low's death is being treated as murder following a post-mortem examination. Detective Chief Inspector Martin Macdougall, of Police Scotland's major investigation team, said extensive inquiries were being carried out and detectives were trying to establish the full circumstances of the shooting.

The dog walker was shot on Saturday February 17 (Perthshire Advertiser)

He continued: "Our inquiries have so far revealed that Brian was out walking his black Labrador along a remote track, shortly before 08:30 when he was fatally shot. Although this is a remote location, we would be keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time."

Local Area Commander Greg Burns said: "I understand this is an extremely concerning incident for this small, rural community. I want to take this opportunity to reassure people that we are working round the clock to find out what happened to Brian. We will have additional high-visibility patrols in the area and you will see significant police activity over the coming days.

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Detectives have set up an online portal where members of the public can submit information. Perthshire North MSP John Swinney said: "This is a devastating announcement and I express my sympathy to the family of Brian Low.

"I have spoken with Police Scotland and have been assured there is a strong police presence locally to address public anxiety. I encourage anyone with information to contact the police."

Aberfeldy is a small market town, with a population of around 2,000. It was mentioned by Robert Burns in the poem The Birks Of Aberfeldy and in the Ed Sheeran song The Hills of Aberfeldy.

Bradley Jolly