24-year-old Steven Sidebottom is expected to appear at the High Court in Aberdeen today to face trail for the murder of Brian McKandie.
67-year-old Mr McKandie was found dead at his cottage at Badenscoth, near Rothienorman, on 12 March 2016.
Mr Sidebottom is accused of repeatedly striking Mr McKandie with an unidentified blunt implement or implements and robbing him of a sum of money. He is also charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice, theft and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.
The trial is expected to last for serveral weeks with over 80 witnesses being called.
