The jury in the Emma Caldwell murder trial will travel to the site where her body was discovered, it was confirmed.

The decision was made as the man accused of killing the 27-year-old on April 5 2005 appeared in the dock for a two-hour hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

Iain Packer, 50, is charged with assaulting Miss Caldwell with intent to rape and murdering her in Limefield Woods in Biggar.

He has pleaded not guilty to that and 45 other charges that he faces. Lawyers on Thursday lodged special defences of self-defence and incrimination on his behalf.

A trial has already be fixed to begin in January 2024.

A previous hearing in Edinburgh last year was told how prosecutors had discussed taking jurors out of the courtroom and travelling to the scene where the murder is said to have occurred rather than simply being shown photos or videos.

The court was told that the area of woods was in a "remote location" more than 40 miles from Glasgow.

Advocate depute Richard Goddard KC said: "The use of a morning session (of the trial) would allow the jury to attend there and would be of extremely valuable use of court time.

"It would appear that there is no significant practical difficulties from a health and safety standpoint.

"It is proposed to leave the Saltmarket (where the high court is), journey time is 50 minutes.

"Landmarks would be identified by the Crown, which the jury would be shown.

"It is proposed the jury would see the place where the deceased was recovered."

Several of the other crimes listed on the indictment are also said to have occurred at Limefield Woods.

Lord Beckett - who will preside over the trial - said taking jurors to a site relevant to a case "had been done in the past".

He gave permission adding he was "satisfied it be competently done".

It is scheduled to be carried out on day 15 of the trial.

Mr Goddard told the court he would hope to complete the prosecution evidence in between five to six weeks.

Lord Beckett stated - taking into account any defence evidence, speeches and his legal directions at the end - that it "might be a nine-week trial, if it goes smoothly".

Packer was represented by advocate John Brannigan.

The special defences of incrimination and self defence were allowed by Lord Beckett.

But, the judge asked Mr Brannigan that the terms of a proposed third special defence of consent be looked at again prior to the case next calling.

Among the other legal discussions, it emerged a woman Packer is accused of indecently assaulting has passed away since the previous hearing in December last year.

Her evidence will then be lead by way of a police statement being read to the jury.

Packer faces a total of 46 charges spanning between 1990 and 2016.

The murder accusation claims he assaulted Miss Caldwell - who had been a sex worker - by restraining her, grabbing her wrists and strangling her with his hands and a cable.

Packer is then said to have dumped her naked body at the woods as well as got rid of her clothes, phone and other personal belongings. He is said to have cleaned a car.

This was all allegedly done to "conceal and destroy evidence" as well as to "avoid detection, arrest and prosecution".

Among the other charges are accusations of rape, indecent and sexual assault, as well as abduction involving a number of other women.

Lord Beckett fixed a further all-day hearing due to take place on November 6 in Edinburgh.