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Forensic experts investigate scene where island couple were found dead

Maureen and Donald Macmillan
Maureen and Donald Macmillan

Specialist officers from the mainland have been drafted in to the Western Isles to help investigate the mysterious deaths of a village postmaster and his wife.

The bodies of Donald and Morag Macmillan were found behind bins at their home at Gravir in the South Lochs area of the east coast of Lewis on Friday.

The discovery of the couple sparked a major investigation at the weekend with police describing the deaths as “unexplained”.

It is understood local officers had attended at the scene following a report of just one casualty and were shocked to discover a second body nearby.

And last night a specialist team of forensic examiners arrived on the island to carry out an extensive search of the house and grounds to try to piece together what had happened.

A blue-coloured forensic tent was erected on a sloping part of the lawn while a police officer stood guard at the scene.

Officers were also seen carrying out investigations in the garden and at the path in front of the house.

Police say it could take a “number of days” before the circumstances behind the double tragedy are established.

However, it is understood that there are no suspicious circumstances at this stage.

A police spokeswoman said: “Following the report of two sudden deaths in the Gravir area of the Isle of Lewis on Friday, November 18, 2016, Police Scotland can confirm the names of the deceased as 73-year-old Donald MacMillan and his wife Morag MacMillan who was 67-years-old.

“The investigation into the circumstances of their deaths are continuing.

“The deaths of Mr and Mrs MacMillan continue to be treated as unexplained.”

Inspector Roddy Mackay has previously said that the force will consider all factors – including whether the bitterly cold temperatures may have played a role in the couple’s tragic death.

Mr Macmillan was known locally as Boy and had clocked up around 50 years of service in the post office.

He was the third generation of his family to run the service and was due to give up the post soon.

The 73-year-old also operated an outreach post office service two days a week in the Kershader Resource Centre, a community hub for the wider Pairc area.

Mrs Macmillan, who was also known as Maureen, was originally from Harris and previously worked at the nearby primary school. She was also a care assistant for a neighbour.

The pair – who had no children- were well known in the community and helped out fundraising for local causes.

They were also involved in Pairc Historical Society.

A spokesman for the group said: “Words cannot express our shock as a community to this news.

“Maureen and Donald were so involved in our community that its hard to comprehend that we won’t see them again.

“They were very active members of our comunn eachdraidh (historical society) since the day it was founded and Maureen has been treasurer for as long as I can remember.

“She also managed our Tional (local magazine) mailing and so many other aspects of our society and indeed both of them were a fountain of knowledge which we called on very often.

“We extend our sympathies to their many friends and relatives at this sad time.”

Local councillor, Philip McLean said: “The post office they ran was at the heart of the South Lochs community and everybody living locally has been into that office to buy stamps and collect parcels so they were known to all.

“They were also active in the Pairc Historical Society and the Ravenspoint Centre in Kershader and were at the forefront of fund raising for many local groups.

“You would see them at all local events – and they were always together.

“They will be sorely missed and my thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends at this very sad time.”