The wife of the alleged Skye shooter has spoken for the first time about her “darkest moments” as she gets ready for a fresh start.
Rowena MacDonald was severely injured after her husband Finlay MacDonald allegedly stabbed her at their home in Tarskavaig early this year.
The 39-year-old is also charged with shooting his brother-in-law to death and attempting to kill two others.
Now Mrs MacDonald has revealed she has moved to a new home for a fresh start with her children.
In a post on social media, the 32-year-old shared a photo captioned “moving day” and said: “The beginning of the next chapter. We have had the darkest moments of our lives earlier this year, we are now putting them behind us and excited to start this new adventure.
“We could not have got to this point without the staggering support of many, many (hundreds) of people, for this we shall forever be grateful.”
She thanked those first on the scene, including the paramedics, police and neighbours to the teams at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow and Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, as well as local GPs.
She also praised the social services team for making sure the children had “everything they needed” and the ongoing support from psychologists.
Highland Council provided the family with temporary accommodation after Mrs MacDonald left hospital, and again she thanked them for their assistance – as well as the local school for “making it as easy for everyone as possible whilst keeping a close, caring eye on the kids”.
‘The beginning of the next chapter’
After the August 10 incident, various fundraisers were set up to support the victims.
More than £27,500 was raised for Mrs MacDonald and her young family.
In an update to supporters, she wrote: “It is only with all your help the kids and I have been able to furnish our new home and look to start a fresh, happier life.
“This will be a long road, and there is a lot yet to work through, but I honestly cannot thank every single person who donated enough – you have helped get us back together and to where we are now.”
MacDonald is accused of attempting to murder his wife at their home.
He allegedly then travelled to his brother-in-law John MacKinnon‘s house in nearby Teague and shot him dead.
He is further accused of attempting to kill chiropractor John MacKenzie and his wife Fay, both 63, in Dornie that same day.
He made no plea or declaration when the case called at Inverness Sheriff Court.
Since the incident, Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee has heard evidence that the Skye community is struggling to come to terms with what happened.
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