ALAN WILSON'S HORRIFIC WILDLIFE MASSACRE IN DUNS AND LONGFORMACUS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the Scottish Borders community, Alan Wilson, a gamekeeper from Duns, has been found responsible for a brutal and systematic campaign of wildlife destruction on the Longformacus Estate. Born around 1958 and residing at Henlaw Cottage in Longformacus, Wilson's actions spanned over a year and a half, from March 2016 to June 2017, during which he engaged in the illegal killing and disposal of numerous protected animals.

Wilson maintained a detailed kill list, which included over a thousand animals such as cats, foxes, hedgehogs, and stoats. Investigators uncovered a horrifying scene when they searched Henlaw Wood in 2017, discovering animal carcasses including otters, badgers, foxes, and various birds of prey. These remains were found in 'stink pits'—illegal disposal sites designed to attract scavengers and birds of prey—surrounded by illegally set snares. The evidence suggested a deliberate effort to trap and kill wildlife using banned pesticides, gin traps, and other unlawful methods.

Among the most disturbing findings was a captive eagle owl, suspected by the Scottish SPCA to have been used as a live lure to attract birds of prey, which Wilson then shot and killed. This owl was recovered from Wilson’s residence, and in 2018, he was fined £400 and received a ten-year ban from keeping birds of prey due to neglect and welfare violations.

Wilson’s criminal activities extended beyond illegal trapping and disposal. An extensive investigation, involving the Scottish SPCA’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU), RSPB, and Police Scotland, revealed that he employed a range of unlawful techniques, including setting illegal snares and using banned pesticides and gin traps to eliminate wildlife indiscriminately. The investigation also uncovered a kill list at Wilson’s home, cataloging 1,071 dead animals, including domestic cats, foxes, and small mammals.

Authorities believe that Wilson was responsible for the deaths of thousands of animals, with one source describing his relentless desire to kill “everything that moved,” except for game birds that he bred on the estate for wealthy clients to hunt. The scale and brutality of his crimes prompted widespread condemnation from conservation and animal welfare groups.

During the court proceedings at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Peter Paterson acknowledged the severity of Wilson’s offenses but expressed his inability to impose a custodial sentence due to sentencing guidelines that discourage short-term imprisonment. Instead, Wilson was sentenced to 225 hours of unpaid work and a restriction of liberty order. The sheriff also noted that Wilson had pledged to cease working as a gamekeeper and was now employed in tree cutting.

Police officials welcomed the verdict, emphasizing the complexity and scale of the investigation. Detective Constable Andy Loughlin stated, “The illegal killing of birds of prey and protected species cannot, and will not, be tolerated, nor will the inhumane use of illegal traps and pesticides.” An undercover Scottish SPCA investigator described the case as a “despicable series of systematic crimes,” highlighting the shocking volume of wildlife victims and the importance of collaborative efforts in bringing Wilson to justice.

Sara Shaw, head of the Crown Office’s wildlife and environmental crime unit, characterized Wilson’s actions as a “campaign of deliberate criminality,” while Duncan Orr-Ewing of RSPB Scotland called it an “absolutely appalling incident involving the illegal killing of a range of protected wildlife.” Dr. Lucy Webster, a forensic scientist specializing in wildlife, praised the investigation as an “excellent example” of partnership working to hold a prolific wildlife criminal accountable. Robbie Marsland, director of the League Against Cruel Sports, described the case as “one of the worst wildlife crime incidents in recent years.”

Wilson’s membership with the Scottish Gamekeepers Association was immediately terminated, reflecting the organization’s stance against such unacceptable conduct. The court imposed a sentence of 225 hours of unpaid work and a restriction of liberty order, marking a significant step in the ongoing fight against wildlife crime in the region.