A shooting on Skye has been described as the “worst day” in living memory which will touch every single home in the community.
Kate Forbes has this afternoon led tributes after a serious incident on the island and mainland.
At least one person has been killed, with three others injured.
Police have launched a murder inquiry, but a 39-year-old man has been arrested.
Ms Forbes described the incident as the “worst day I can ever recall”, and shared her grief with her fellow islanders.
Not a single West Highland home will be untouched by this terrible tragedy
The Skye and Lochalsh MSP said: “Today’s tragic news is simply devastating.
“This is the worst day that I can ever recall in the history of Skye and Lochalsh, and I can only hope we will never see another day like it again.
Ms Forbes, who had a baby last week, continued: “I cannot begin to imagine what the family and friends who have lost a loved one are going through, and they should be in all our thoughts and prayers right now. We grieve with them.
“West Highland communities are close-knit, we are warm and welcoming, and this will shatter us to the core.
“It feels like our very heart has been ripped apart. I, and I am sure many others, never thought we would see such an awful day. Not a single West Highland home will be untouched by this terrible tragedy.
“I would also like to thank Police Scotland and the other emergency services for their ongoing efforts and investigations.
“I stress again what the police have already said, a man is in custody, there is no further threat to public safety and it is not believed to be a terrorist incident.
Very concerning news
Ian Blackford, MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, said: “Very concerning news and my thoughts are with all those affected.
“As more details come to light, the response of the emergency services seems to have stopped this incident spreading even further than it did. Thank you for the work that you do.
“The victims of these crimes will, I’m sure, remain in all our immediate thoughts.”
Highland Council convener Bill Lobban said: “We are thankful to our emergency services colleagues for bringing this very serious and shocking incident to a close.
“We will be providing support to the communities and our partners in every way possible.
“The communities of Skye and Dornie will be shocked and saddened by these incidents and our thoughts are with the individuals affected.”
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