A murder investigation has been launched after two people were found dead in a rural Highland village.
The body of a 74-year-old man was discovered at a property in the Robertson Cresent area of Keiss shortly after midnight yesterday. His death is being treated as murder.
Around 20 hours later the body of a woman, 39, was discovered in the grounds of Keiss Castle.
A small area of the quiet residential street was taped off, with police efforts focused on number 31.
A white police investigation tent was also set up at the back of the building, with two police vehicles stationed outside.
Investigations ongoing
Forensic officers could be seen taking pictures at the scene as well as carrying evidence bags inside the property.
Neighbours spoke of a red-haired woman who lived in the house being an “animal lover” who was regularly seen walking her whippet dog and ferret.
Police say investigations are continuing – but believe the incidents are linked.
They said there was no threat to the wider public.
On Sunday a full-scale search was launched in the Caithness village.
Detective chief inspector Brian Geddes said: “Following concerns being raised, around 12.05am on Sunday, July 2 the body of a 74-year-old man was found within a property at Robertson Crescent in Keiss.
“His death is being treated as murder.
“The body of a 39-year-old woman was found within the grounds of Keiss Castle around 8pm on the same day during a police search.
“An investigation is ongoing but we are treating these incidents as linked and contained, with no risk to the wider public.”
Keiss community ‘shocked’ by incident
Local residents of the close-knit community spoke of their shock following the murder and death of the woman.
They say the woman moved to the area around a year ago, but the man was a regular visitor often staying for a few days at a time.
One woman said: “The woman who has died moved to the village about a year ago. I understand an older man came to visit her at the weekend and this happened.
“We can not believe it. It is completely shocking.”
One neighbour said he received a call from a friend saying there were police swarming the small village.
“I got a call around 12.30am telling me that there were police all over the village.
“I got back to my house around 1am and there were around seven or eight police cars and an ambulance in the street.”
Another resident recalled seeing the pair around the village.
He said: “The woman and the man would come into the pub a couple of times and I would see them get the bus into town.
“This is a very close-knit community so it is very shocking when something like this happens.”
The village has two castles, including the old partially ruined one standing on sheer cliffs.
The newer Keiss Castle stands near the ruins, close to a patch of trees where police are also stationed.
Police removed the cordon on Robertson Crescent early this morning, with officers eventually leaving both scenes.
