Report from George Markie

Local cat was wild about deer

From the Edinburgh Evening News, 24 th January 2003

I WAS interested to see your article about big cats in the Lothian area, in particular the sighting by David McClean of an animal near Inchgarvie House, South Queensferry (News, January 22).

I live next to Inchgarvie House and in 2001 observed a big cat hunting in the field behind that property on many occasions. I can confirm that it had a long, bushy tail and prominent pointed ears. By its markings it seemed like a much larger, leaner version of a tabby cat, but this was clearly no household pet.

On one memorable early-morning occasion, as I watched an adult deer walking through the field, I saw the cat leap out from the undergrowth and chase the deer, which took off at high speed. Not, I suggest, the action of your average domestic cat.

Unfortunately, the sightings stopped almost a year ago. Perhaps it moved on in search of a mate.

My own theory is that the animal was a Scottish wildcat of the type normally confined to the Highlands which had somehow strayed into Lowland territory, but I can't rule out the possibility that it could have been a lynx.

Have any other readers seen this particular animal?

Alastair Clark Linn Mill, South Queensferry

Edinburgh Evening News, 24 th January 2003

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