Report from George Markie
Author sights big cat near abbey
From the Northern Scot, 17 th November 2001
A SIGHTING of a big cat on the prowl through woodland in Moray has been reported by a local author.
Mr Charles Macdonald was on an afternoon drive through the Pluscarden valley, accompanied by his mother, Mrs Christina Macdonald (92), when they rounded a bend and saw a large, jet black cat on the road.
"We were between Heldon Hill and the abbey when we spotted it. It was about two and a half to three feet long with a small head and stood about 18 inches high," said Mr Macdonald, who lives in Lossiemouth.
"It had a shiny jet black coat and when it made off into the undergrowth we could see it had a bushy tail which flopped about."
Mr Macdonald said that although he had a camera in the car, he had no time to grab a photograph.
"My mother hasn't stopped talking about it since. I walk a lot in the forests to get inspiration for my books, and I'll be more wary now that I have seen the big cat for myself," he added.
As there were sheep grazing in the area, Mr Macdonald reported the incident to the police.
editor@northern-scot.co.uk
Northern Scot, 17 th November 2001
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