Retired gamekeeper ‘executed’ former colleague in Scottish Highlands ‘out of sheer malice’

David Campbell shot Brian Low dead on a country track called Leafy Lane on 16 February 2024, following a long-held and deep personal grudge against the 65-year-old.

The killer, aged 77, didn’t react as the jury found him guilty of the single charge.

In a trial lasting nearly three weeks, the High Court in Glasgow heard Police Scotland hadn’t realised Mr Low had been shot until five days after his body was discovered, despite shotgun pellets peppering his skin.

The force initially treated the murder as a medical episode which led to a fall, delaying the start of the investigation.

“I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge that our initial response to this tragic incident fell short of what Police Scotland and the public rightly expects,” DCS Lorna Ferguson said outside court.

“We have reflected and we have learned from what happened. This learning included a complete review of policies and procedures around attendance at unexplained deaths as we take steps to try and prevent something like this happening again.”

The jury heard Brian Low had been a groundsman on the Edradynate Estate for more than 22 years until he retired in 2023. Campbell was the head gamekeeper there until his own retirement. The pair worked together for 18 years.

Witnesses gave evidence that Campbell ‘hated’ his victim and had accused Mr Low of planting poison in his home before police raided it in 2011, investigating wildlife crimes.

Mr Low was also accused of spreading salacious gossip about Campbell’s wife, Betty.

Farmer Sally Crystal (77) lived near the Edradynate Estate and knew both men. She told the court Campbell repeatedly questioned why she liked Mr Low, telling her ‘I fucking loathe that man. I hate him.’

Following years of animosity, David Campbell disabled CCTV cameras around his home, placed duct tape over his doorbell camera and rode his wife’s e-bike to track down Brian Low on a country lane where he was walking his dog.

The pensioner then used a shotgun to kill the 65-year-old.

Judge Lord Scott told him “The bitterness and grudge you bore towards Brian Low, reflected in some of the things you said to others people about him, did not diminish over time.”

He continued: “This was a targeted assassination or a pre-planned execution of a victim who was unarmed and unaware of the fate that was about to befall him.”

Advocate Depute Greg Russell told the court: "This was a brazen, brutal and planned execution at a rural spot, a cowardly ambush motivated by nothing more than sheer malice."

Adding, ”David Campbell was an expert shot. He hunted Brian Low down like he was quarry."

The murder weapon has never been found.

David Campbell blew a kiss to his wife as he was led out of the dock. He is starting a minimum of 19 years behind bars.