Report from George Redpath
Big Cat seen in Caithness in 1973
From a phone call to George Redpath
I thought that you might be interested in a 'phone call I received following the article published recently in the P&J.
The call was from a Mr Charlie Ball who is a retired Strathclyde Police Sergeant. Mr Ball says that during the summer of 1973, he was on holiday in the highlands with his wife and family.
About 15.30 hours he was driving north on the B871, between Syre and Bettyhill. As he drove through Strathnaver, a Puma leaped from the east side of the road into the path of his vehicle almost causing a collision.
As Mr Ball stopped the cat crossed the road and leaped a deer fence which was at least eight feet high. The cat, which was carrying a rabbit in its mouth was according to Mr Ball definitely a Puma and was identified by all the passengers in his vehicle.
Mr Ball stopped at a nearby farm and tried to warn the farmer who didn't believe him. Mr Ball says he was just calling to let us know that there were definitely big cats in Scotland prior to the Dangerous Animals Act, 1976 being introduced.
Scottish Big Cats, March 2002
 |
 |
 |
|
| Return to index | Return to Scottish Big Cats | Return to Highland | Return to 1973 |