The mysterious shooting of a Scottish man, may have been related to his objection to a planning application, it has emerged.

Alistair Wilson, who was murdered at his home in Nairn in 2004, had registered his objection to permission for a large decking area outside the Havelock Hotel opposite his home.

Police now believe this to be significant to the enquiry into his death.

Mr Wilson was shot dead on his doorstep on Crescent Road at around 7pm on Sunday, 28 November, after a man called at the family’s home.

His wife Veronica answered the door and the man asked for her husband by name.

Mr Wilson went downstairs to speak to the man and was handed a blue envelope with the word “Paul” on it.

He went inside briefly and then returned to the door for a second time when he was fatally shot.

Detectives travelled to Canada to interview a key witness recently and are appealing for the public’s help in gathering more information.

Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team has also confirmed it now believes the answer to his murder lies in his personal life – and is not connected to his work with the Bank of Scotland.

Detective Superintendent Graeme Mackie said it had been “shortly before” Mr Wilson was murdered, that he had objected to Moray Council about the building of the decking area, claiming it was “responsible for increased noise and litter in the area”.

He said: “While we cannot rule out any scenario, we believe this could be significant to our enquiries and I am asking anyone with information about this issue to please come forward and speak with officers.

“I would also appeal to anyone who was involved in the building of the decking area at the Havelock Hotel in 2004 to come forward.

“Through significant enquiries are being carried out, we believe the answer to Alistair’s murder lies within his personal life and not in his role with the bank.

“Someone locally will have that piece of information that could be crucial to catching his killer and providing answers for his family.”

‘Time is no barrier to justice’

Last month, a witness reported he saw a man in possession of a handgun on East Beach in Nairn around a month before the fatal shooting after police launched an appeal. He was with another man aged between 40 and 60 years old.

A description of a man they want to trace in connection with Mr Wilson’s murder has been altered following further reviews of witness accounts and timing of the events on the night in question.

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Detectives are now looking for a man in his mid-30s to almost 60 years old. He was approximately 5ft 7in tall and was wearing a baseball cap and jacket.

Mr Mackie said: “We have been very clear that time is no barrier to justice and I hope these recent appeals will further reassure the public that we are determined to bring Alistair’s killer to justice.”

Anyone who believes they can assist police is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 515 of 4 March 2022 and Operation Sorn or you can e-mail a dedicated inbox at SCDHOLMESAberdeen@scotland.pnn.police.uk