A man has been accused of sexually abusing boys over a 30-year period on a remote island near Oban.

The case against Torquil Johnson-Ferguson, 65, of Solwaybank, Chapel Knowe, Canonbie, Dumfries and Galloway, called at Oban Sheriff Court yesterday.

He has not lodged a plea to seven charges alleged to have taken place on or near Rua Fiola Island spanning from 1979 to 2013. The charges range from using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices on boys to observing them while naked.

Johnson-Ferguson did not appear in court yesterday. His solicitor Alan Gravelle said his doctor had concerns about whether he was fit to stand trial.

Mr Gravelle said: “His GP notes a deterioration in his mental health. The difficulty it causes myself from what the doctor is saying is that this is something we really need to check out to ensure he is fit to go to trial.”

He made a motion to postpone the trial diet of November 24.

Fiscal Eoin McGinty said the crown would undertake a psychiatric assessment of the accused.

The case will next call on December 9.