One man has died in Skye and three others have been injured after a series of incidents, some involving a firearm, in Skye and Wester Ross, west Scotland.
Police Scotland said they had arrested a 39-year-old man who was one of the victims after receiving reports on Wednesday morning that a 32-year-old woman had been seriously injured at a property in the Tarskavaig area of south skye
She was taken by air ambulance to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
About 30 minutes later, police received reports of a new incident nearby, in the Teangue area, where a firearm was discharged. Emergency services went to the property to find a 47-year-old man dead at the scene.
Police then raced to another property near Dornie on the mainland after another gunshot was heard. The force said a man was taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness to be treated for serious injuries. Another woman was taken to Broadford Community Hospital on Skye.
The 39-year-old man has been arrested for all the incidents, which are being treated as linked. He was also taken to Raigmore Hospital by air ambulance.
Police said an investigation into the incidents was being led by their main investigation team. Conrad Trickett, the local commander, said: “Thankfully incidents like this are extremely rare, but I understand that this will have a significant effect on the local community in these rural areas.
“I would like to reassure people that we are treating these incidents as contained, with no wider threat to the public.
“There will be a significant police presence in the area over the coming days and we will be working with partners to support the local community. I would like to thank people for their co-operation as our investigation progresses.”
Ian Blackford, MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, and Westminster leader of the Scottish National Party, said: “This is terrible and shocking news, especially for a place like Skye and Lochalsh. I have been kept informed of the events and I understand there was a firearm and knives.
“Firearms regulations are there for a reason and there needs to be a review of this incident to make sure if lessons can be learned.
“I want to pay tribute to the emergency services, including the police and the Scottish Ambulance Service, as well as the local authority. I understand the situation is under control.”
Early reports said that numerous emergency services and police vehicles had descended on the three sites; the Scottish Ambulance Service said it had sent several ambulances, several air ambulances, a special operations response team and an Emergency Medical Recovery Service (EMRS) team.
A dozen police vehicles, including an armed response team, and a Police Scotland helicopter were also deployed.
The fishing village of Dornie is best known as the site of Eilean Donan, the picturesque castle that stands on an island at the junction of three sea lochs, close to the coast on the main road from Skye Bridge and the town harbor of Kyle of Lochalsh. .