Man denies murder after mother and son disappeared 46 years ago

Renee MacRae and her three year old son Andrew went missing near Inverness in November 1976

Nicola McAlley

The sister of a woman who went missing 46 years ago says she knew ‘something dreadful had happened’ when she didn’t receive her weekly call from her.

Morag Govans told the murder trial of her concerns after the 36-year old didn’t phone her on the Sunday night as expected. Bill MacDowall denies the charges against him.

STV News is now on WhatsApp

Get all the latest news from around the country

Follow STV News
Follow STV News on WhatsApp

Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

WhatsApp channel QR Code

Today's Top Stories

Humza Yousaf says he won’t resign as Scotland’s First Minister amid threats of being ousted
Play icon
Politics

Humza Yousaf: I won't resign and I'll fight and win no-confidence votes

Scottish Labour to lodge no-confidence vote in Scottish Government as Yousaf ‘considers position’ as FM
Play icon
Politics

Labour to lodge no-confidence vote in Scottish Government

Warning issued to SWG3 by Glasgow licensing board after deaths of three teens at nightclub
Glasgow & West

SWG3 handed warning by licensing board after deaths of three teens

Glasgow Inner Circle subway services resume after suspension due ‘train fault’
Glasgow & West

Glasgow subway services resume after suspension due 'train fault' 

Mum of two plans to set up hair loss clinic after her experience of living with cancer
Play icon
Highlands & Islands

'My wavy blonde hair was my identity and to lose that felt really awful'

Man who raped girl, 13, at Livingston hotel and threatened to share intimate photos jailed
Edinburgh & East

Man who raped girl, 13, at hotel and threatened to share intimate photos jailed

Humza Yousaf’s fate hangs on single MSP as Scottish Greens will vote to oust First Minister
Play icon
Politics

Yousaf's fate hangs on single MSP as Greens will vote to oust First Minister

Popular Videos

Playwriting workshop brings young Ukrainians displaced by war together to tell their stories through arts
Play icon
Edinburgh & East

Playwriting workshop helps young Ukrainians share their stories

Firefighters battle ‘deliberate’ blaze overnight for 12 hours at derelict mansion in Dunblane
Play icon
Edinburgh & East

Firefighters battle blaze overnight for 12 hours at derelict mansion

Scottish ministers urged to ‘poverty proof’ childcare by expanding free places to children under three
Play icon
Scotland

Ministers urged to ‘poverty proof’ childcare by expanding free places

Scottish woman campaigns for NHS to provide wigs for those diagnosed with alopecia
Play icon
Glasgow & West

'Losing all my hair as a teenager changed my life forever'

Bold vision for specialist cancer centre on hold due to Scottish Government spending freeze
Play icon
Scotland

Bold vision for specialist cancer centre on hold due to spending freeze

Latest in Scotland

‘Victory for Scotland’s seas’ say campaigners as ministers lose appeal over dredging
Play icon
Scotland

'Victory for Scotland's seas' as ministers lose appeal over dredging

Humza Yousaf ‘considering his position’ as he faces being ousted as First Minister
Politics

Yousaf 'considering his position' as he faces being ousted as First Minister

People who have booked liquid BBLs urged to contact Edinburgh Council
Edinburgh & East

Urgent appeal for anyone who has booked liquid BBLs this weekend

Humza Yousaf faces no-confidence vote after ‘terminating’ Bute House Agreement with Scottish Greens
Play icon
Politics

Humza Yousaf faces no-confidence vote after 'terminating' Bute House Agreement

Prosecutors yet to receive police report on Peter Murrell’s SNP embezzlement charge
Politics

Prosecutors yet to receive police report on Peter Murrell's embezzlement charge

Scotland is worst in world for teenage boys smoking cannabis, WHO data reveals
Scotland

Scotland is worst in world for teenage boys smoking cannabis

SNP breaks off power-sharing Bute House Agreement with Scottish Greens
Play icon
Politics

SNP breaks off power-share agreement with Scottish Greens

Trending Now

Edinburgh hotel The Rutland to offer bath-butler experience as part of £1.2m refurbishment
Edinburgh & East

Edinburgh hotel offers bath-butler experience as part of £1.2m refurb

Buckie Thistle ‘stunned and devastated’ after being denied chance of promotion
Sport

Buckie Thistle ‘stunned and devastated’ after being denied chance of promotion

The Broons join braw new NHS Lanarkshire initiative to combat ‘loss of confidence’ after long hospital stays
Glasgow & West

The Broons join 'braw' initiative to help Scots recover after hospital stays