Month: May 2026

The episode revisits a dramatic night in Rothes, Scotland, on 26 May, 1905, when a routine police patrol turned violent. The quiet town was rocked after Constable William Baron was shot at close range while responding to a domestic disturbance at the home of James Craigie, a man with a troubled past marked by violence and resentment toward Constable Baron. The incident left Constable Baron gravely wounded and led to James Craigie’s arrest and eventual conviction for an intentional assault to the danger of life.

The epiosode explores how years of animosity, alcohol abuse, and unchecked hostility culminated in an act that unsettled the local community, serving as a stark reminder that even peaceful places harbour danger beneath the surface.

This episode also offers listeners a chance to learn about other 1905 events in the “Scotland Then” episode, available through the podcast’s Patreon membership at Scottish Murders Patreon

Please Be Advised – This episode may contain content that some may find distressing. As always, we advise listener discretion. This episode it not suitable for anyone under the age of 13.

Join Dawn and Peter as they travel to Glasgow to record with Peninsula TV, regarding the devastating 2015 murder of Daryl Fitch. This special episode unpacks the story of Daryl, a beloved Paisley man, whose life was tragically cut short during a camping trip with his close friend, William Cameron. The case takes listeners through the investigation, the emotional appeals by Daryl’s girlfriend Mhairi, the complicated forensic evidence, and the shocking details of the trial that led to a conviction. This episode offers a compelling narrative into a case of friendship, tragedy, and the search for justice in rural Scotland.

Please Be Advised – This episode may contain content that some may find distressing. As always, we advise listener discretion. This episode it not suitable for anyone under the age of 13.

In this episode of Scotland Today, Dawn revisits one of Scotland’s most chilling unsolved gangland double murders: the deaths of John Nisbet and William Lindsay in October 1999. This detailed retelling covers the timeline of the case, from the last known movements of the victims and the forensic investigation, to suspects and the lingering impact on the victims’ families and the wider community. The episode marks the 12 May 2000 renewed police appeal, highlighting the enduring quest for answers in this decades-old mystery.

Three Takeaways from the Episode

1. Unsolved Gangland Murders Remain a Mystery
   The double murder of John Nisbet and William Lindsay in 1999 marked by the meticulous planning and execution of the killers, as well as their confidence in covering their tracks.
2. Police Investigations Faced Obstacles Despite Progress
   Despite a significant police response—including forensic tests, DNA profiling, ballistic analysis, and identifying prime suspects—no one was ever charged. The investigation was hampered by fear, silence, and the lack of decisive evidence.
3. Victims’ Families Still Seek Closure
   More than two decades later, the families of John Nisbet and William Lindsay remain without answers or justice, while the suspected main perpetrator, Lee Smith, died before facing trial and the case remains officially unsolved.

Please Be Advised – This episode may contain content that some may find distressing. As always, we advise listener discretion. This episode it not suitable for anyone under the age of 13.