Man to appear at Inverness Sherrif court following death of woman near Loch Ness
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A MAN was expected to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court today, charged in connection with the death of a 66-year-old woman which police said was "being treated as murder."
Officers were called to a house at Croit Sonas in Culnakirk in the hills above Loch Ness at around 3.40pm on Monday.
The death of the woman, named locally as Morag Carmichael, was at first being treated as “unexplained” pending the results of a post-mortem.
Last night police said a 33-year-old man had been arrested and charged in connection with the death.
A considerable police presence remains at the house where Mrs Carmichael and her husband Kenneth ran a croft and donkey sanctuary for many years.
Police cars cordoned off the entrance to the property in Glen Urquhart about two miles from the village of Drumnadrochit.
The house is in a peaceful scattered community off the Culnakirk single-track road leading up the side of the glen.
Officers in white forensics suits could be seen at the property and several marked and unmarked cars visited the scene throughout Tuesday.
Other police officers on the main A833 road leading to Beauly were questioning passing motorists as investigations continued.
Earlier on Tuesday Detective Chief Inspector Maggie Miller appealed to the public to come forward if they had any information or concerns.
Local residents were reluctant to speak about the incident or were unaware of the death in the small close-knit community.
One man who lives nearby said: “I saw police cars but thought it had something to do with all the flooding and bad weather. The fact that someone has died will be a great shock to people.
“This is a very quiet place and it’s not something you expect to hear about here.”
David Fraser, chairman of Glen Urquhart Community Council, said: “This is an absolute tragedy, just awful. The woman has lived in the glen for many years and was well known in the area.
“Everyone is deeply shocked and our condolences go to the family and friends of the lady involved.”
