A property in a quiet residential area of Blairgowrie has been thrust into the Jenny Methven murder hunt.
Officers descended on Gallowbank Road on Thursday as part of the investigation into the murder of the pensioner.
The house was the scene of intense police scrutiny throughout the day, with officers seen in the garden taking notes during the morning, while a presence was maintained late into the evening.
A spokesman for Tayside Police confirmed officers had been in the Blairgowrie area ”as part of a significant ongoing police investigation”.
The force reiterated that the investigation was at the ”critical stage” which forced the cancellation of an appearance by Detective Chief Inspector Colin Gall on Crimewatch earlier this week.
DCI Gall was unwilling to comment upon details of the activities in Blairgowrie.
He did, however, say: ”The inquiry has reached a critical stage. We are working hard to piece together the vital evidence that we need.
”We are keen to inform the public of any developments at the right time. But for sound operational and investigative reasons, I am not in a position to elaborate further at this stage. To do so could harm the inquiry.”
As the investigation continued, Tayside Police refused to confirm that a man of interest to inquiries had made an attempt on his own life. They also refused to confirm reports that the man had been rushed to hospital after being found in a rural area of Perthshire in a serious condition.
DCI Gall thanked members of the public for their support, saying the force was ”hugely appreciative”.
”The ultimate purpose of any major criminal investigation is to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to justice,” he added. ”This is what Jenny Methven and her family deserves.”
It has now been more than five weeks since the 80-year-old’s body was discovered in her Kildinny Farm cottage, near Forteviot, by her son David.
She had sustained injuries to her head and body, understood to have been inflicted by a blunt instrument, although no murder weapon has been discovered.