Report from Leo Martin
Photographers Caught Napping By A Beast Not Too Keen On Exposure
February 18 th 1995
Twenty-five professional photographers were caught napping when the elusive 'big beast' of the Highlands made an appearance - and no one had a camera ready for the picture.
The photographers were busy 'concentrating' on a a model in bridal dress in the grounds of Knocknomie Hotel near Forres, Moray, when local photographer Les Hester noticed cattle stampeding in a nearby field.
He said: "The cows seemed really excited and were going crazy. They were following an animal. The animal was a big cat which was loping along the line of the fence in the next field. I was totally suprised, and than I realised what I was looking at. It was definitely not a dog. It was big."
There have been many sightings og big cats in the Moray area over the years. In 1980 a puma was captured by farmer Ted Noble. It was tamed and cared for by Eddie Orbell at the Highland Wildlife Park in Aviemore until its death in 1985. It is now preserved as the prize exhibit at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.
The session at which American Heidi Mauracher was demonstrating her latest wedding photography techniques had been organised by the British Institute of Professional Photographers.
The Institute has hundreds of members in Scotland and is able to award degree-level qualifications. Its aim is "to promote higher standards in professional photograhy."
One of the speakers at another meeting of the Institute, Lawrie Campbell, was just back from a tour of Cgile, photographing pumas.
18 th February 1995
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