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Play hopes to unravel mystery behind lawyer’s death


By Will Clark

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Starring in 3000 Trees at the Edinburgh Festival (from left) Adam Robertson, Helen Mackay and Billy Riddoch. Photo: James Belkevitz.
Starring in 3000 Trees at the Edinburgh Festival (from left) Adam Robertson, Helen Mackay and Billy Riddoch. Photo: James Belkevitz.

LAWYER Willie McRae was working on a case involving alleged dumping of nuclear waste into the sea at Dounreay when he was found seriously injured in Wester Ross.

Taken to hospital, he died the following day after it was assumed he had suffered fatal injuries in a car crash in April 1985.

However, during the postmortem, a gunshot wound was found behind his right ear and a gun was recovered near to where his car was discovered.

It was thought McRae had committed suicide but others believe he was murdered, claiming he was under observation for what he knew.

The story, which remains one of the country’s most fascinating mysteries, is to be turned into a play.

Renowned local poet and playwright George Gunn has written 3000 Trees which explores the intriguing story surrounding McRae’s death.

It will be performed during the Edinburgh Festival in August and will feature Thurso actors Helen Mackay, who made her TV debut in Rab C Nesbitt in January, along with River City star Adam Robertson, who is also a producer of the play.

Glasgow-born Mark MacNicol was approached by Robertson to be co-producer and said he had no hesitation in being involved after becoming captivated by the story.

He feels, along with the rest of the cast, that McRae’s death was no accident and he was targeted due to the information he possessed.

"I read the play and I was blown away by it," he said. "But the more research I did into the story, the more I was flabbergasted by what had happened.

"All of my research indicated there was no way it could have been suicide. The authorities in the aftermath speedily shut down the case and the lack of enthusiasm towards any public inquiry leaves no doubt there has been a cover-up of some description."

On April 5, 1985, McRae (61) was travelling to Dornie, Wester Ross, for a weekend break from his home in Glasgow.

The following day he was found badly injured by two Australian tourists on the A87 near Kintail.

It is claimed McRae was in possession of highly sensitive papers on plans to dump waste from Dounreay into the sea, papers which have never been found.

His house was also burgled on a number of occasions in the months leading up to his death.

MacNicol said the message behind the play is more than just about one man but sheds light on the idea of how far authorities will go to keep a secret.

He said the case has been out of the public eye for a long time but hoped through the play the truth would one day come out.

"This play is bigger than one man and explores big themes – everyone attached to the production passionately believes there should be a public inquiry," he said.

"We hope we can help facilitate that by some of the publicity we can bring to the play. At the very least, his memory deserves a public inquiry."

The play is being financed through crowd-funding due to a lack of financial support from other bodies.

MacNicol said it is the only way a number of productions can receive funding which, he claimed, is a sad state of affairs for a country which produces some of the best theatre in the world.

"The reality of Scottish theatre is there’s very little funding available," he said.

"In theatrical terms, Scotland punches well above its weight and is among the top five nations in the world for theatrical production.

"If you were to divide Scottish theatre into three lists, established playwrights, emerging playwrights and aspiring playwrights, there is not sufficient funding to support the top list.

"But thanks to crowd-funding we are able to tell the Willie McRae story to a brand-new audience."

Find out more about the play at www.3000trees.com


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