Former gamekeeper, 77, accused of shotgun murder of retired groundsman Brian Low ‘loathed' victim, court hears

A man accused of the shotgun murder of a retired groundsman "loathed" his alleged victim, a court has heard.

Prosecutors allege ex-head gamekeeper David Campbell, 77, gunned down Brian Low, 65, on a remote track near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, in February 2024.

Campbell is on trial at the High Court in Glasgow. He has pleaded not guilty to eight charges, and has lodged a special defence of alibi in connection with the murder accusation - claiming he was at home at the time of the alleged shooting.

The alleged murder is said to have taken place at Leafy Lane, near to the Pitilie track.

Mr Low was pronounced dead at 9am on 17 February 2024 by a paramedic.

Six days later, on 23 February 2024, a post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be gunshot wounds to the neck and chest.

Jurors heard how Campbell worked as the head gamekeeper at Edradynate Estate in Perthshire between May 1984 and February 2018.

Mr Low worked at the same estate as a groundsman between August 2000 and February 2023.

Local farmer Sally Crystal, 77, told Advocate Depute Greg Farrell how she was friends with both men, and helped out at Edradynate Estate during shooting season.

She told jurors the pair appeared to get along at first, but then noted: "At first it wasn't noticeable, but as time went on there was a coldness."

Ms Crystal told of one alleged incident where, after talking with Mr Low, Campbell reportedly stated: "I cannot stand that man. I loathe him.

"I cannot understand why you like him."

Ms Crystal then spoke of a second alleged conversation, where Campbell reportedly said of Mr Low: "I f****** loathe that man. I hate him."

Ms Crystal spoke highly of Mr Low, describing him as a "gentle" man.

She also agreed that Campbell, who she described as having a "very good shot", was "highly respected", took his job seriously, and helped ensure the estate was a commercial success.

Campbell is accused of previously showing "malice and ill-will" towards Mr Low, and is alleged to have discharged a shotgun at him, leaving him so severely hurt that he died at the scene.

Prosecutors allege he earlier disabled CCTV cameras at Tigh Na Caorann in Aberfeldy's Crieff Road in an attempt to conceal his whereabouts.

He is further accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice between 16 February and 24 May 2024 by disposing of the alleged murder weapon and gun bag, disposing of a Walther Rotex RM8 airgun, having replacement tyres fitted on an electric bike reportedly used during the shooting and dumping a box, a cartridge bag and bicycle tyres at Aberfeldy Recycling Centre or elsewhere.

Campbell additionally faces five separate breach of the peace charges spanning between July 1995 and September 2012.

He is said to have acted in a disorderly manner, putting three men and two women in a "state of fear and alarm".

One of the complainers, retired police officer Alan Stewart, 78, told the court that he became acquainted with Campbell due to the accused's work as a gamekeeper, and his own role in investigating wildlife crime.

Mr Stewart, who went on to become a civilian wildlife crime coordinator following his time in the force, accepted prosecutor Mr Farrell's submission that there was "tension" between the pair due to their jobs.

At Scone Palace's game fair in the summer of 1995, Mr Stewart claimed he was off-duty when he passed Campbell at the outdoor event.

The accused was said to have stated: "It's great what vermin you see when you haven't got a gun."

Mr Stewart added: "It wasn't said as a joke. It was said with a bit of venom."

He said that he was used to getting "threats" due to his line of work so it "didn't bother" him as much, but upset his wife and granddaughter.

During questioning from defence lawyer Tony Lenehan KC, Mr Stewart agreed that Campbell would not have been the only gamekeeper in the region not on his "Christmas card list".

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Jurors also heard from others who were allegedly threatened by Campbell over the years.

These included Leona Forrest, 62, who lived in a cottage on the estate with her family as her husband worked on the grounds.

She claimed that at some point in the spring of 1997, Campbell was "ranting and raving" about her husband, and shouted in her face that he was "useless".

Ms Forrest said: "I could feel his spit on my face."

She claimed Campbell threatened to kill or shoot her husband, but when asked which one, she replied: "I'm not 100% sure."

Alleged threat to puppy

Marta Oles, 42, also gave evidence, and told of how she once rented a room at a property Campbell owned in Aberfeldy.

She claimed the accused became angry when he discovered she was keeping a black Labrador puppy at the house in 2012.

Ms Oles told the court that she was not aware dogs were not allowed in the property, adding: "He wasn't very pleased with me."

She explained to Campbell that she would be shortly moving to another house, telling jurors: "He said he [didn't] care, if he sees the puppy again he's going to shoot the puppy, and shoot us all."

This was said to have taken place in front of her eight-year-old daughter.

Ms Oles said: "I could see she was scared. She lay down on top of the puppy to cover him."

Defending, Mr Lenehan suggested that this was "not a serious threat that was made".

Ms Oles replied that she "didn't take it as I'm actually going to get shot", but added "it was in the back of my mind".

Campbell is further accused of possessing a Walther Rotex RM8 airgun between May 2017 and February 2024 without the relevant certificate, and discharging it on various occasions.

The trial, before Lord Scott, continues.

(c) Sky News 2026: Former gamekeeper, 77, accused of shotgun murder of retired groundsman Brian Low ‘loathed' vic