Willie McRae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Willie McRae
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|---|---|
| Professor emeritus | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 May 1923 Carron, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland |
| Died | 7 April 1985 (aged 61) Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Cause of death | Gunshot to the head |
| Political party | Scottish National Party |
| Alma mater | University of Glasgow |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom British Raj |
| Branch/service | British Army, then Royal Indian Navy |
| Rank | Lt-Cdr, Royal Indian Navy |
| Unit | Seaforth Highlanders |
| Commands | Aide-de-camp to Admiral Lord Mountbatten |
Willie McRae (born 18 May 1923 – died 7 April 1985) was a Scottish lawyer, speaker, and former naval officer. He was also a politician and a strong supporter of the anti-nuclear movement. During the Second World War, he served in the British Army and later the Royal Indian Navy. He believed in the Indian independence movement and was very active in the Scottish National Party (SNP) for most of his life.
McRae died when his car crashed in a quiet part of the Scottish Highlands. He was found with a gunshot wound to his head. The circumstances of his death have led to many questions and discussions over the years.
Contents
Willie McRae's Early Life and Career
Growing Up and Education
Willie McRae was born in Carron, Falkirk, Scotland. His father worked as an electrician. Willie studied history at the University of Glasgow and also edited a local newspaper in Grangemouth. He earned a top degree from the university.
Military Service in World War II
During the Second World War, McRae joined the Seaforth Highlanders in the British Army. Later, he moved to the Royal Indian Navy. There, he became a lieutenant commander. He even served as an aide-de-camp (a personal assistant) to Admiral Lord Mountbatten. McRae also supported India's fight for independence from British rule.
Becoming a Lawyer and Professor
After the war, McRae returned to the University of Glasgow to study law. He became a solicitor, which is a type of lawyer. He also helped write the maritime (sea) laws of Israel. He was an emeritus professor at the University of Haifa in Israel. After he passed away, a forest of 3,000 trees was planted in Israel to remember him.
Willie McRae's Political Work
Standing for Parliament
Willie McRae was a very active member of the SNP. He ran for a seat in the UK Parliament several times. He was a candidate for Ross and Cromarty in the 1974 and 1979 General Elections. In October 1974, he nearly won, losing by only 633 votes.
Leading the Fight Against Nuclear Waste
McRae was a strong voice against nuclear power and nuclear waste. In the early 1980s, he played a key role in stopping plans by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). They wanted to bury nuclear waste in the Mullwharchar area of the Galloway Hills.
Representing the SNP, McRae asked tough questions during a public meeting. He famously said that "nuclear waste should be stored where Guy Fawkes put his gunpowder." This meant it should be kept somewhere very secure and out of sight. Thanks to his efforts, the plans were stopped. Many people said he "single-handedly" prevented the area from becoming a nuclear waste dump.
The Mystery of Willie McRae's Death
The Discovery
On 5 April 1985, Willie McRae left his flat in Glasgow. He was heading to his cottage for the weekend. The next morning, his car was found on a moor near Glenmoriston, Inverness-shire. Two tourists saw his maroon Volvo car stuck over a small stream. The car was about 90 feet from the main road. They stopped the next car, which happened to be driven by a doctor.
McRae was found inside his car. He was still alive but seriously injured. There was a lot of blood, and he was taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. Later, he was moved to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
A Shocking Discovery
At the hospital in Aberdeen, nurses found something unexpected. While cleaning his head, they discovered what looked like a gunshot wound. An X-ray confirmed that McRae had been shot above his right ear, and a bullet was inside his head. His brain was badly damaged. The next day, on 7 April, after talking with his family, McRae's life support was turned off.
The Investigation Begins
The police started an investigation. A weapon was found the next day in the stream near where the car was discovered. It was a small revolver. However, there were questions about how the car was moved and the exact location where it was found.
Questions and Campaigns for Answers
Calls for More Information
For many years, people have had questions about Willie McRae's death. Some believe he was being watched by secret intelligence services. In 1991, a TV show looked into the mysterious events. It suggested that McRae might have been under surveillance and that his death could have involved foul play.
In 2005, Fergus Ewing, a Scottish politician and Willie McRae's friend's son, asked for a meeting to discuss these claims. However, his request was turned down.
New Claims and Investigations
In 2006, a retired police officer named Iain Fraser claimed he had been hired to watch McRae just weeks before he died. Another former police officer, Donald Morrison, also claimed that McRae was being watched by Special Branch and MI5. He called for an official investigation.
In 2010, John Finnie, a former police officer and politician, asked for McRae's death to be reinvestigated. The Crown Office (Scotland's public prosecution service) then asked for the case files.
Public Campaigns for Justice
In 2014, two plays about McRae's life and death were performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. They explored his anti-nuclear work and the claims of surveillance.
In April 2015, a campaign started to ask for a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into McRae's death. An FAI is a special type of court hearing in Scotland that looks into deaths that are sudden, suspicious, or unexplained. The petition quickly gathered thousands of signatures. However, the Crown Office rejected the idea of holding an FAI.
Despite this, a "Justice For Willie" campaign group was formed. They decided to start their own investigation. In 2018, a nurse who claimed to have treated McRae raised new doubts. She said the bullet wound was in a different place than what the official report stated. The mystery of Willie McRae's death continues to be discussed and debated.
