Renee MacRae and Andrew potential new evidence found by A9 south of Inverness still being assessed by Police Scotland

Potential new evidence linked to the Renee and Andrew MacRae murder case is still being evaluated, police say.

Last month we revealed that detectives trying to locate the bodies of the murdered mum and her three-year-old son had removed items from a works site beside the A9.

Sources said a yellow child’s potty and length of carpet had been taken for forensic examination after being unearthed by Balfour Beatty employees on March 13.

EXCLUSIVE: Renee MacRae and Andrew murder detectives examine A9 discovery of child’s potty and carpet evidence near Inverness

The location of the find was around a mile south of the infamous Dalmagarry layby where Renee’s burning BMW car was discovered in November 1976.

Police later confirmed they had removed the potential evidence but said there was only one item of interest.

A few days before the discovery, staff clearing and excavating land as part of the £185 million Transport Scotland A9 dualling contract between Tomatin and Moy were asked by police to look out for items potentially linked to the case.

They included a suitcase, a pushchair, a coat and a yellow child’s potty.

William MacDowell, then 80, was finally convicted at the High Court in Inverness on September 29, 2022 of murdering his lover Renee (36) and biological son Andrew (3).

Their bodies have never been found.

MacDowell’s death a few months later meant the secret of where the bodies were went with him to the grave.

Police Scotland has declined to give details of the item of interest or confirm whether or not it is still deemed significant.

They have also refused to elaborate on their instructions to contractors Balfour Beatty regarding clearance and excavation work on the dualling contract, which is set to be completed by 2028.

A police spokeswoman said: "Inquiries remain ongoing and we have no further details at this time."