Willie MacRae

Who was Willie MacRae?

Willie MacRae was a Scottish nationalist politician and lawyer, best remembered for the mystery surrounding his death.

MacRae was an active member of the Scottish National Party and an anti-nuclear campaigner. A solicitor, MacRae had contested the SNP leadership in 1979, coming third in a three-way contest with 52 votes to Stephen Maxwell's 117 votes and winner Gordon Wilson's 530 votes.

He was active outside Scotland too, having served in the Royal Indian Navy and becoming friendly to the Indian independence movement. He was also the author of the maritime law of Israel and emeritus professor at the University of Haifa. After his death a forest of 3,000 trees was planted in Israel to mark his death.