Woman shot in face feared she and husband would die during Skye shooting

A woman on the Isle of Skye feared for her life as she and her husband faced an alleged gunman on August 10, 2022. Fay MacKenzie described in court how the man shot her in the face through a window as she entered their home holding a cereal bowl. She recounted the terrifying moment when her husband, John MacKenzie, confronted the gunman at “point blank” range and managed to take the gun away, saving their lives.

The accused, Finlay MacDonald, 41, is standing trial for the murder of his brother-in-law, John MacKinnon, and the attempted murder of three others, including Fay MacKenzie, all of which he denies. The incidents took place in the Isle of Skye and the Dornie area of Wester Ross. It is alleged that MacDonald shot and killed MacKinnon in the village of Teangue and targeted the MacKenzies in Dornie. He also faces charges related to possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life.

During her testimony at the High Court in Edinburgh, Mrs. MacKenzie shared her harrowing experience of being shot in the face and witnessing her husband confronting the alleged gunman. She described seeking refuge in the bathroom, where she tried to stop the bleeding with a towel. Her husband, who was airlifted to the hospital, managed to disarm the gunman before help arrived.

MacDonald has pleaded not guilty to the charges, claiming his actions were influenced by an abnormality of mind. The court is considering his defense of diminished responsibility, which could lead to a conviction for culpable homicide if accepted by the jury. The trial is ongoing under the supervision of Judge Lady Drummond.

The events on Skye left lasting physical and emotional scars on the victims, with Mrs. MacKenzie still carrying pellets in her face and scalp. Despite the trauma they endured, they showed remarkable courage and quick thinking in the face of danger.

As the trial continues, the community awaits justice and closure for the tragic events that unfolded on that fateful day in August. The bravery of Mrs. MacKenzie and her husband serves as a reminder of resilience in the face of adversity and the importance of seeking accountability for acts of violence in our society.