A SKYE councillor has said that he has “never known tragedy” like the attacks which occurred on Wednesday.
A 47-year-old man, John MacKinnon, died following a spate of incidents on the Isle of Skye and in the Dornie area of Wester Ross on Wednesday.
An attacker, armed with a gun, also injured three other people who are in hospital.
Skye councillor John Finlayson said: “I know how close-knit and big-hearted the communities in Skye and Lochalsh are and we will come together to support each other through this devastating time.
“I would like to thank the emergency services for everything they have done, and continue to do, and our thoughts and prayers are with all the families that have been affected by the events of today which have hit everyone in our communities so hard.”
The first attack happened at a property in the Tarskavaig area of Skye shortly before 9am on Wednesday.
Police found a 32-year-old woman with serious injuries who was then taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
About half an hour later, gun shots were reported at another property in the Teangue area of the island, about eight miles away, where a 47-year-old man was pronounced dead when the emergency services arrived.
The violence then spread to the mainland when there was another gun attack in Dornie.
A man was found with serious injuries and taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for treatment and a woman, whose condition remains unknown, was taken to Broadford Hospital.
They have since been named as John Don Mackenzie and Fay Mackenzie.
Speaking to Good Morning Scotland on Thursday, Finlayson added: “I’ve never known tragedy like this and there’s two communities affected here: one on Skye and one on the mainland.
“I don’t think anyone on Skye or Lochalsh would have expected that.
“From what I hear there were a huge number of ambulances, police, fire services and helicopters in the area.
“Everyone was really alarmed. A lot of people didn’t appreciate what was happening.
“Now that we’re more aware of the tragic circumstances, I think everyone is still in shock and it is unbelievable.
“It’s a sad day, it’s a tragic day and a very tough day for us all.”
Local resident Gordon Matheson, who lives in Teangue, said the day had been “profoundly difficult” for the community.
“Families have suffered tremendous loss today,” he said.
Another local councillor, Drew Millar, said the firearm incidents “shocked not just Skye and Lochalsh but the entire Highlands”.
He said Highland Council has sent trained staff to help support the families who have been affected.
Conservative councillor Ruaraidh Stewart of the Highland Council said Skye and Lochalsh is a very close, resilient community which is “shocked and saddened” by the events.
He added: “My heart breaks for the families involved in today’s tragic events.
“My prayers are with the bereaved family and the victims who are in hospital with serious injuries. I would like to thank the emergency services and the staff who have supported the families involved.”
Wester Ross councillor Liz Craft said: “I am devastated and shocked at what has happened.
“Our communities will be heavily impacted by this and we will do all we can to support them through.”
On behalf of Highland Council, convener Bill Lobban said: “We will be providing support to the communities and our partners in every way possible.”
He thanked emergency services for stopping the attack from spreading further than it did.
MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber Ian Blackford has said Scotland should continue to look at its laws surrounding gun regulation.
He told Good Morning Scotland on Thursday it was “only right” agencies were strict about granting licences.
“I think in any situation, whether there’s this one, and of course, we were looking at what had been a very painful anniversary of Dunblane not that long ago.
“I think it is important that we continue to assess where we are.
“These are very controversial topics and of course, in these rural areas, we’re all aware there are applications from time to time for people that have licences for guns particularly when it comes to agricultural matters.
“Given what we have seen over the course of the last 24 hours, it is right and proper that we continue to look at the regulations that we have in place for the very simple reason that all of us have got a responsibility to keep safe.”
