Handyman Peter Tobin has been charged with the murder of schoolgirl Vicky Hamilton whose remains were found more than 16 years after she went missing.
The 61-year-old appeared in private at Linlithgow Sheriff Court, West Lothian, at lunchtime.
Earlier Vicky's father Michael walked down the road ahead of the prison van carrying Tobin, leading it into the court car park
The Scots odd-job man was arrested in July over the disappearance of Vicky, who was 15 when she vanished from Bathgate in 1991.
Her remains were found on Monday buried in the garden of a house in Margate, Kent.
A spokesman for the Crown Office said: "Peter Britton Tobin, aged 61, today appeared in private, on petition, at Linlithgow Sheriff Court.
"He has been charged with the murder of Vicky Hamilton. He made no plea or declaration, he was continued for further examination, and he remains in custody. The accused is expected to appear in court again next week."
Tobin arrived at the court in a Reliance prison van at around 10.30am. Traffic was stopped as Mr Hamilton, accompanied by a police officer, slowly walked in front of the vehicle.
Amid emotional scenes, Tobin was then taken inside the court building for the private appearance before a sheriff.
Members of the public shouted as he was taken from the van into the court building.
