MacRae murders: Police empty Inverness quarry in search for mother and son missing for 40 years

Detectives announce 'significant development' following review of investigation

Renee MacRae and her three-year-old son Andrew disappeared without trace on 12 November 1976 (PA)

Detectives investigating the murders of a mother and her young son who disappeared more than 40 years ago are to drain a quarry in a search for their bodies.

Renee MacRae, 36, and three-year-old Andrew MacRae were last seen driving out of Inverness, Scotland, in a BMW on 12 November 1976.

They were never seen again and the car was found burnt out in a lay-by on the A9 near Dalmagarry, 12 miles south of the city.

In what Police Scotland described as a “significant development” in the case, officers will now begin emptying the water from Leanach Quarry, near Culloden Moor, to carry out a forensic search.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Brian Geddes​ said: “Work is now under way to carry out a forensic search of Leanach Quarry where we believe key pieces of evidence may have been concealed.

“A key part of this operation is to recover the remains of Renee and Andrew if they are within the quarry and gather evidence vital to this on-going investigation.

“We are working with a number of different partners on what will be a challenging and complex operation expected to last several weeks. I would also like to thank local landowners for their co-operation in this inquiry.

“The quarry has previously been deemed too dangerous to search using divers, which is why the decision has been made to pump the water completely from the site.

“We will thereafter remove the sediment from the quarry, which will allow specialist search officers and forensic experts to carry out a meticulous search of the material.”

DI Geddes said that they were targeting the quarry as a result of a review of all of the evidence gathered over the last four decades.

Last year officers released pictures of Andrew and his pram, which was never recovered, as part of a new appeal.

DI Geddes said the search of the quarry was a “major undertaking”, but added: “The determination remains within Police Scotland to solve this case and bring closure to Renee and Andrew’s family and friends after all these years.

“We intend to do everything we can to ensure that any key pieces of evidence which we believe are in there are recovered.

“I would also appeal to anyone with information to please come forward and speak to us.”