Report from George Markie
Puma seen by tourists
Extracts from the Fortean Times No 26
Original report in the Aberdeen Press and Journal 15 th December 1977
It seems police have records of sightings going back two years - but following the supposed wounding of the animal on two occasions they were mounting extensive armed searches on the moorlands and heaths near the village of Strathnaver, following the discovery of carcasses on 12 th Dec 1977.
Thomas Todd, a crofter at Achneiskich, Bettyhill, found one of his sheep dead - its fleece had been removed and its flesh stripped. This was said to be the work of a predator. Mr Todd remembers earlier incidents: "The other morning I discovered paw prints about 3" in diameter in the snow; and I remember about 2 years ago (1975) finding a dead ewe which had been defending its lamb. Half its head had been ripped off and I realise now that it must have been this cat when it was younger."
Sgt Donald Bruce of Bettyhill Police, recalled the time, 2 years earlier (in 1975) "when a couple of English tourists reported seeing a puma. They were very specific in their description and said it was a puma. For some reason their names were not taken, but now I wonder if they hold the key to all this.
"Maybe they let the animal loose because it was growing too big and they didn't want to pay £300 for the licence to keep it."
Aberdeen Press and Journal, 15 th December 1977
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