One person has died and three people have been injured in a series of linked incidents in the Scottish Highlands, an MP has said.
Multiple emergency services vehicles rushed to a property in the Tarskavaig area of Skye shortly before 9am on August 10 after receiving a report of a woman being injured. They were later called to incidents on Teangue on Skye and in Dornie, around 10 miles east of the Skye Bridge.
Multiple unconfirmed reports suggest that a firearm and a bladed implement were used in the incidents across the island and in the fishing village, which is home to Scots landmark and tourist favourite Eilean Donan Castle. An air ambulance was spotted at the scene of the one of the incidents, and cordons have been established by local officers.
Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP Ian Blackford, who lives on Skye, has told local media that he has been kept abreast of developments in the investigation - and believes one fatality and three injuries have resulted across the trio of what police are branding "contained" incidents.
He told the Press and Journal: “This is dreadful and shocking news – especially for a place like Skye and Lochalsh. I have been kept informed of the events and I understand a firearm and knives were involved.
“I have been told that there is one fatality and three injured. Firearm regulations are there for a reason and there must be a review of this incident to ensure if any lessons can be learned from it.
“I want to pay tribute to the emergency services, including the police and Scottish Ambulance Service, as well as the local authority. I understand the situation is under control.”
Speaking to the Record, the MP added: "I am devastated for all those who have been caught up in this human tragedy. It brings home to all of us that no community is safe from the violence of guns and knives.”
“I would commend the police and emergency services for everything they have done to keep people safe and in containing the incident which is now over.”
He added: “We need to look and see what lessons can be learned from this. Some people in rural communities are critical of the severity of regulations on firearms but here is the reason why.”
The Scottish Ambulance Service has confirmed that four people have been taken to hospital - two to Raigmore in Inverness, one to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and one to Broadford on Skye. Their condition was not clear - however, rapid retrieval emergency teams were called in. They are only summoned for incidents in rural locations when people are in critical need of medical attention.
A spokesperson said: "We received a call at 09:02 to attend an incident in Tarskavaig, Skye. We also attended two further incidents in Teangue on Skye and Dornie.
"Multiple ambulances, air ambulances, a special operations response team (SORT) and an emergency medical retrieval service (EMRS) team attended the scenes. Four patients were transported to hospital: two to Raigmore Hospital, one to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and one to Broadford Hospital.”
A 39-year-old man has been arrested in connection with all three incidents. Police Scotland now says there is "no risk" to the wider community following the arrest.
Police Scotland was contacted for further comment.
The force said earlier today: “We were made aware of a woman injured at a property in the Tarskavaig area on Skye shortly before 9am on Wednesday, August 10.
“Police are also attending two further incidents in Teangue on Skye and Dornie which are being linked.
“A 39-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incidents.
“At this stage we believe the situation is contained and there is no risk to the wider community. Enquiries are ongoing.”
Highland Council tweeted: “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.”
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said there is no further threat to the community.
Posting on her Twitter, the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch wrote: "The tragic news emerging in Skye and Lochalsh is simply devastating. West Highland communities are close-knit, this will shatter us to the core. We grieve with those who involved.
"I’d like to thank Police Scotland and the emergency services for their ongoing efforts and investigations. I stress again what the police have said, a man is in custody, there is no further threat to public safety and it is not believed to be a terrorist incident.
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