dawnyoung

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.

In this episode of Scottish Murders, Dawn covers the perplexing, unsolved 1913 murder of Mary Spear Gunn at Portencross. Drawing on Stephen Brown’s meticulously researched book, “Who Killed Mary Gunn?”, the story explores Mary’s life, her relationships, and the fateful night she was gunned down in the remote North Bank Cottage. Dawn walks listeners through the night’s chilling events, police investigations, suspects, and enduring mysteries, focusing on Stephen’s theory of the case. Was it a crime of passion, jealousy, or something more hidden? With lost evidence and rumours swirling around the small Ayrshire community, the episode unravels possible motives and suspects—leaving the question of Mary’s killer, and the roles of Andrew and Elizabeth Gibson, tantalisingly unanswered.

Join Dawn as she invites you to consider the clues and form your own theory about this haunting century-old Scottish mystery.

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.

Trigger Warning: This episode covers crimes against children and suicide, so listener discretion is advised.

In this episode of “Scotland Today,” Dawn explores the haunting case of Ellen Hannah, who, on the 31st March 1896, tragically took the lives of her three youngest children in Pollokshaws, Glasgow, before attempting to end her own. With sensitivity and care, Dawn highlights Ellen’s struggle with deep melancholy, shedding light on the devastating effects of mental illness in a time when support was scarce. This sobering story, filled with community reactions and heartbreak, serves as a grim reminder of the shadows that can exist behind closed doors.

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.

Journey through tragedy, courage, and the enduring impact of violence with Dawn as she explores two Scottish cases that left lasting scars on families and communities. This episode is a sobering reflection on justice, loss, and the heroes who stand against chaos.

🔎 3 key takeaways:
The Ripple Effects of Violence: The murder of Michelle Wenden in 2004 didn’t just end a life—it uprooted a family and left her children traumatised, ultimately forcing them to flee the very community they returned to for safety. Dawn illustrates how violent acts echo far beyond the crime scene, touching every corner of victims’ families and reshaping lives forever.

Justice and Its Failures: Despite the conviction and life sentence of Michelle’s killer, questions linger about the justice system’s ability to protect. With Robert McNeill’s violent history—and him being out on bail at the time of the attack—the episode raises a stark warning about systemic cracks that sometimes allow dangerous individuals to slip through.

Courage Amid Chaos: Moving back in time, Dawn recounts the story of Dugald Campbell, the first Scottish police officer killed on duty, during the infamous Hogmanay Riots of 1811. Dugald’s determination to confront danger—despite warnings—underscores the bravery required of those who protect communities, and marks a poignant chapter in Edinburgh’s history.

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.

Travel back to March 1945 as we revisit a moment in Greenock’s history that is as gripping as it is unsettling. This debut ‘Scotland Today’ episode shines a light on crime, justice, and enduring mystery—through the lens of the Wolf of Greenock case.

3 Key Takeaways:
A Dockside Murder Grips a Nation:
The episode plunges listeners into a chilling December night in 1944, as Dawn recounts the brutal assault and murder of merchant seaman Leonard Davies in Greenock. The community is rocked, both by the violence of the crime and the subsequent media frenzy that follows Docherty’s arrest and shocking trial.

Justice on a Knife Edge:
The courtroom drama runs high, with overwhelming evidence, a guilty verdict, and a death sentence by hanging for John Docherty. Yet, a critical legal misstep leads to the quashing of his conviction. This twist forces us to question whether justice was properly served or if deeper secrets remain hidden within Greenock’s docks.

Echoes Across the Decades:
The episode draws a haunting parallel to a different John Docherty from Greenock, convicted in the 1986 Elaine Doyle murder—a case the podcast covered in a previous episode. Through these stories, Dawn highlights how history’s shadows can stretch long across Scottish towns.

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 Dawn unravels the tragic death of Irene Martin, a beloved Scottish police officer. Listeners are taken through Irene’s life, her relationships, and the chilling events surrounding that fateful November morning in 1993, when her body was discovered after a fire in her Dundee flat. As the investigation unfolds, secrets, motives, and emotional testimonies emerge, painting a complex picture of Irene’s world. The episode also touches on the lasting impact Irene had on her family, friends, and community, who honoured her legacy in moving ways.

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.

Welcome to another episode of Scottish Murders. This week, Dawn takes us back to Ayrshire in the 1980s to explore the tragic murders of Kay Wylie and Nancy Nichol. In part one, Dawn details the dramatic upheaval of the Wylie family as they move from South Africa to Scotland, hoping for a new beginning, only to be struck by tragedy when their daughter Kay disappears and is later found murdered. The episode follows the initial investigation, the heartbreak of Kay’s parents, and the twists and turns as police try to piece together her final hours. As questions mount and Nancy Nichol’s life is also cut short, Dawn lays the groundwork for what is to come—the shocking events of the trial and the lingering suspicions of a miscarriage of justice.

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, we continue the story by stepping inside the courtroom of the 1985 murder trial, as 19-year-old Andrew Cameron stands accused of brutally murdering Kay Wyllie and Nancy Nichol. 

You’ll hear how the trial unfolded, with dramatic courtroom clashes, emotional testimonies from family and friends, and expert insight from pathologists and fingerprint specialists. Dawn guides us through the investigation’s many twists and turns—including a surprising confession, a mysterious anonymous letter, and shifting statements that cast doubt at every corner.

As the evidence mounts, conflicting statements and allegations of police misconduct only add to the tense atmosphere in court. The episode leaves us on the verge of the jury’s crucial verdict, with the promise that the story is far from over. So, settle in for a gripping account of one of Scotland’s most chilling double murder trials.

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, Dawn picks up the story as the jury returns its verdict in the sensational double murder trial of Andrew Cameron for the murders of Kay Wyllie and Nancy Nichol. The episode covers the aftermath of the verdict, exploring public outrage, the perspectives of the victims’ families, and the legal battles that ensued—including dramatic appeals and new evidence that threatened to rewrite the story.

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.

• Behind the Headlines: How Marion Cameron, a mother thrust into the media spotlight, handled her son’s conviction, from outspoken defence to personal loss and resilience.
• A Family’s Fall: The sale of the family home, loss, and the devastating ripple effects of Andrew’s actions on his siblings, culminating in Rodney Cameron’s own criminal convictions.
• Reflection and Justice: Thought-provoking questions for listeners about prisoner rights and the larger implications of such family tragedies.
• Community and Connection: Patreon updates, True Crime event news (CrimeCon Birmingham, CrimeCon London, and the inaugural True Crime Festival), and an exclusive opportunity for listeners to suggest questions to journalist Hazel Martin about the BBC documentary The Man in the Mask: An Orkney Murder.

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.

Cold Facts, No Frills Episode (two more detailed, emotive episodes are also available for FREE on Patreon

In this episode of Scottish Murders, host Dawn explores the unresolved case of James Craik, a 49-year-old man found dead in his Huntly, Aberdeenshire flat on 12th March 1997. The episode pieces together the key facts surrounding James’s tragic death, including the police investigation, the search for a mystery woman last seen with him, and the impact on his devastated family. Despite extensive police enquiries, public appeals, and even the brief arrest of a suspect, James Craik’s murder remains unsolved, casting a long shadow over his loved ones. Dawn encourages anyone with information about James Craik’s murder to come forward to help bring answers to James’ family.

In response to a listener’s feedback, Dawn skips the usual style of episode and sticks to sharing the facts only. For those who prefer the normal style of episode, they can join our Patreon community for free and listen to a more detailed version of the unsolved of James Craik, which will be available 2 December. 

You can also join our Patreon community for as little as £2.50 or $3 and continue to listen to our Scotland Then episodes.

Join our Patreon Community –Scottish Murders | creating podcasts | 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.