Dog Walker Found Dead Near Aberfeldy: Retired Gamekeeper Convicted of Murder

The murder of Brian Low, a 65-year-old retired man who regularly walked his dog in the hills near Aberfeldy in Highland Perthshire, Scotland, went undetected for several days after his body was discovered — a case that has become the subject of a BBC documentary.

Discovery and Initial Misclassification

Low's body was found near a remote path outside Aberfeldy with blood on his face and hands. Officers at the scene initially judged the death to be non-suspicious, possibly a result of an accidental fall. His body was removed without full forensic examination. It was only when a post-mortem examination was carried out that pathologists discovered multiple shotgun pellet wounds. Critically, shotgun pellets fell from his body bag during the examination — evidence that had nearly been lost.

The Investigation

Police Scotland launched a murder inquiry. Detectives focused on David Campbell, a retired gamekeeper who lived locally and had a dispute with Low over access to land and his dog's behaviour near wildlife. Campbell had a licensed shotgun. Phone records, witness statements and forensic evidence placed him near the scene at the time of the killing. He was arrested and charged with murder.

Trial and Conviction

At trial, Campbell denied murdering Low. The jury heard evidence about the bitter local dispute and Campbell's access to the weapon. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum tariff set by the judge. Low's family described the verdict as a relief after years of uncertainty following what should have been a routine walk in the hills.

BBC Documentary

The case features in a BBC Scotland documentary series, 'Murder Trial: Death of a Dog Walker', which examines how the initial failure to identify the death as a homicide nearly allowed the killer to escape justice.