Parts of a pushchair and bone remnants have been found in the search for the bodies of missing Inverness mum Renee MacRae and her three-year-old son.
Forensic anthropologists have so far only identified animal parts in the bones discovered at Leanach Quarry in Culloden, on the outskirts of Inverness,, but investigations of skeletal remains are continuing.
A major focus is on the discovery of pushchair-style wheels as the buggy belonging to Mrs MacRae at the time she and her son disappeared has never been found.
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Police have said they are analysing bones and parts of the pushchair found at a Highland quarry during a search for a mother and son who went missing more than 40 years ago.
Renee MacRae’s bloodstained car was found on fire on the A9 south of Inverness in 1976. The married mother and Andrew, three, have never been found and no one has been charged in connection with their deaths.
Renee MacRae investigators sift through decades of sediment in bid to end 43-year mystery
Police believe that the mystery will be solved once they have sifted through the mud and silt of Leanach quarry at Culloden. More than 13 million litres of water has been pumped from the flooded quarry and officers are examining items.
Detective Inspector Brian Geddes said: “As part of the search operation at Leanach Quarry numerous items have been found to date, many of which have warranted further research and examination.
“Meticulous analysis is now ongoing to establish if any of these items would be relevant to the investigation into the murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae.”
Anthropologists are checking material as it is pulled from the bottom of the quarry in huge shovels before lorries transfer the debris to a location off-site.
There, a 16-strong team of specialist officers is carrying out a fingertip search through the mud.
Police have produced a picture of a Silver Cross pushchair identical to the one used by Ms MacRae. It was believed to have been with the mother and son when they went missing but has never been found.
An initial search of Dalmagarry, another quarry close to where the car was recovered was quickly abandoned, despite reports from an officer that he could smell decomposing flesh.
MacRae Investigation: The Leanach Quarry search so far in pictures
Ms MacRae, 36, left her home in Inverness with Andrew on November 12, 1976, heading south. Estranged from her husband, Gordon, she was driving to Perth to meet her married lover, Bill McDowell, who was Mr MacRae’s accountant and Andrew’s father.
Police re-examined the case in 2004 and named a suspect in a report to the procurator fiscal in 2006. However, the Crown Office said there was insufficient evidence to bring a prosecution.
Mr McDowell, who now lives in Cumbria, was questioned by police but strongly denied having any involvement, a position he has maintained for decades.
