Non-native Cat Sightings in Scotland in 2002

Non-native Cat Sightings in 2002
Date	Location	Description	Activity	Report
1 st January	Ashludie, Angus	Black or charcoal, short fur, circa 80 - 100 centimetres in height and circa 130 - 150 centimetres from the tip of its head to the start its tail. Longish tail with a rounded end almost reaching the ground , Head of a similar shape to puma or panther, short ears.	Seen from car by two witnesses. Leapt across single carriageway road, say 4-5 metres, in two bounds and continued into the brush.
1 st January	Crombie Park, Angus	No sighting, but animal heard in undergrowth	Lecturer believes he was being followed by animal
early January	Nr Scone Palace, Perth & Kinross	Large fawn/brown "cougar style" cat, larger than labrador, high shoulders, muscular, powerful build.	Seen at 50 yards. Jumped hedge and ran off.
9 th January	Sherriffhall roundabout, Midlothian	Large black cat, bigger than German Shepherd , long tail	Seen by male driver. In field, possibly stalking prey. Seen for a few minutes. Witness had heard of other sightings in Dalkeith area
9 th January	Westhill golf course, City of Aberdeen	Jet black, sleek, alsation-sized, long flowing tail.	Bounded across fairway up hill, and into the bushes. Seen by dog walker.
before 11 th January	near Insch, Aberdeenshire	Cat-like creature	Seen by female witness before Doris Moor attack
11 th January	Glens of Foudland, near Insch, Aberdeenshire	'a sleek black beastie', described as the size of a labrador dog but with a long thin body and the motion of a cat.	Animal apparently disturbed in its lair, bit woman on thigh before fleeing. Three bruises inflicted. Probably not a cat but some other animal such as a fox or otter.
17 th January	Dysart, Fife	Black, bigger than a lab, low to ground with a prominant long tail and rounded head. Earlier sighting by same witness on 14 th December 2001	10 minute sighting. Cat snarled at dog with its owner. Dog ran home alone.
18 th January	Tighnabruaich, Argyll & Bute	Large black cat, slightly smaller than pointer dog, long smooth tails and paws like a cat. Earlier sighting in October 2001	Seen off road by dog walker
20 th January	A 721 Between Elsrickle and Newbigging, nr Biggar, South Lanarkshire	Black, Collie sized, 3 ft long body, 1 ft long tail. Much bigger than domestic cat, slightly bigger than fox	Seen in field by man and his grandson. Seen at 25 metres for 30 - 40 secs
21 st January	Near Irvine, North Ayrshire	Jet black, tail like Collie, brilliant glowing green/white eyes.	Seen for a few seconds by motor cyclist. Screams heard that night
24 th January	nr Dalry, Dumfries & Galloway	Large very long black creature, very long tail	Chased lurcher dog before disappering into undergrowth
26 th January	Nr Moffat, Dumfries & Galloway	Black. "absolutely gi-normous" as long as breadth of car. Feline features, body and walked on pads. Very long tail.	Seen beside road by motorist. Several previous sightings in area investigated by police
27 th January	Culbokie, by Dingwall in Black Isle, Highland	Large black cat. Three previous sightings here.	Being investigated by John Cathcart
February/March	between Daviot and Pitcaple, Aberdeenshire	Sheep attacked	Culprit unknown.
late January	South Aberdeenshire	Three sheep carcasses, and two rabbit carcasses found. Chicken killed.	Previous reports of big cat in area. Large dark animal seen three weeks later.
15 th February	South Aberdeenshire	Dark animal, light green, almond shaped eyes. 5 ft long plus tail, 3 feet high.	Sat still untill car appeared then moved off rapidly in 6 to 8 metre bounds. Tracks, 2 feet apart found down hillside. Chicken, sheep and rabbit carcasses previously found. Growling heard a week before.
15 th February	Rossy Priory Estate, nr Dundee	Black, Spaniel-sized, long tail, slinky walk.	Seen by tractor driver walking 40 yards ahead. Print found identified as cat. Second sighting next day.
16 th February	Rossy Priory Estate, nr Dundee	Large dark cat, unusually long tail.	Seen by local shopkeeper loping into wood - sighting there one day before.
17 th February	West Calder area (Harburn), West Lothian	Similar to panther, long tail, long body, black, size of Labrador.	Seen at 15 metres by 2 people in a stationary car
21 st February	Black Isle, Highland	Stalkers left deer carcass overnight. Head ripped off and front legs gone. Flesh eaten.	Tracks found in area
21 st February	Near Bennachie Centre, Aberdeenshire	Beautiful creature, sleek, completely black, Alsatian sized, but shorter, shiny coat, small head. 3ft long tail, turned up at end.	Seen at 50 yards by driver. Walked along the side of the road then spang into the undergrowth. Prints taken but thought to be overlapping tracks of a wildcat or domestic cat
before 1 st March	Around Dunbar, East Lothian	Five sightings of a "large black cat-like animal not unlike a black panther".	Reported to County Ranger, Victor Lough
March	Parbroath, Fife	Large grey cat, black markings, possibly spotted but not striped. Size of Alsation, "very hairy", thick strong looking legs, long thick tail.	Seen by two witnesses. Ran in front of car.
March	South Queensferry, City of Edinburgh	Puma like animal	Spotted in grounds of Inchgarvie house.
3 rd March	Leuchars, Fife	Two jet black Labrador sized cats, one slightly smaller than the other	Seen by a lady and her daughter hunting in a field opposite their home.
9 th March	Balmullo, Fife	Large black cat, possibly Kellas Cat, white tufts of fur on face?	Observed for 10 mins by naturalist whose dogs had chased cat.
16 th March	Ancrum, Scottish Borders	Brownish cat, 3 ft long with a 2 foot tail, muscular but lithe.	Observed for 10 mins by three witnesses.
18 th March	nr Kennoway, Fife	"Black Panther", body length almost 4 feet, small head. similar in shape to a Greyhound but twice the size. Bigger than an Alsation.	Crossed road 20 ft in front of female motorist
28 th March	Monifieth, Angus	"Black panther about four foot in length"	Seen by female walker. Pranced up and down then went into gorse
Spring	Boblainy Forest, Inverness-shire, Highland	Tracks found, 3.5" across amongst badger, dog and deer tracks	Seen in dried mud close to vehicle
April	A75 near Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway	Very light almost white, longer than large dog, tail same length as body	Walking across overgrown field. Seen by motorist.
April	nr Innerleithen, Scottish Borders	Lynx? Large Brown/Grey labrador-sized cat, either mottled or patchy coloured, with pointed ears and a short stumpy tail.	Seen by male walker going under a gate and into woods
9 th April	near Cupar, Fife	Large paw prints found	May belong to a puma
9 th April	Scotsburn, Invergordon, Highland	"large cat, muscular legs, long, curly tail"	Seen by driver.
11 th April	Pittenween, Fife	"Black panther", body length 1.5 metres, tail 1 metre.	Seen for 10 minutes in field from window by three teenagers who attempted to photograph it.
12 th April	St.Michaels/Balmullo Road, Fife	Cat was Alsation size, jet black with a long tail.	Seen by off duty police offer and his daughter. Walking through field beside road
late April	Between Peterhead & Boddam, Aberdeenshire	3 ft long dead cat found. Probaby a very large feral domestic cat	Found in a ditch beside a busy road near Peterhead
May	Grange Of Lindores, Fife	Black cat.	Reported to police
May	Bonar Bridge, Ross and Cromarty, Highland	Large black cat, labrador size, curved tail	Seen by two witnesses crossing field
3 rd May	Near Haddington, East Lothian	Black animal, very low, moving in cat-like manner. Same length as a deer	Seen by driver. Possibly hunting deer. Previous sighting in same spot several months before
before 4 th May	Near Ceres, Fife	largish" cat, sandy coloured with black rings on tail.	Seen by female witness
4 th May	A913, Cupar/Newburgh road, Fife	Mottled grey, body light with dark grey or black markings. About 1 metre long, about 50-60 cms high, very long thick tail, thick stocky legs	Seen by two witnesses. Running through field beside road
11 th May	near Cupar, Fife	Large domestic-sized or slightly bigger, grey with dark grey mottling on back. Shoulder blades pronounced. Tail not seen, ears not lynx like. Eyes yellow-green.	Seen in torch-light from lay-by by member of Scottish Big Cats.
around 12 th May	Montevaite Estate, nr Jedburgh, Scottish Borders	Big black cat	Sighting at Dryburgh a week later.
12 th May	near St Boswells, Scottish Borders	Turkeys killed by bite on neck, heads and necks torn off. Muscovey ducks also killed.	Two sightings of big cats. Wild garlic crushed behind property. Dogs agitated.
15 th May	near St Boswells, Scottish Borders	More turkeys killed as on 12 th May	Two sightings on big cats. Wild garlic crushed behind property.
before 17 th May	Galston, Fenwick and Stewarton East Ayrshire and Craigie, South Ayrshire	Five sightings of cats described as "puma-like", "panther-like" and as "lynx"	Seen over a period of a few weeks.
19 th May	Dryburgh, Scottish Borders	Big black cat	Seen by 10 year old boy. Sighting a week earlier and turkeys killed
29 th May	Raemoir area, Aberdeenshire	Large black cat	Seen by female witness.
before 31 st May	Annandale, Dumfries and Galloway	Fallow deer buck found injured by police. Bite marks in throat, deep lacerations in shoulders, windpipe was crushed, bite in hindquarters.	From size of scratches and depth and spacing of teeth marks, stalker said large cat of some kind had attacked the buck.
June	Auchtermuchty, Fife	Jet black cat, size of a Lurcher, small head, very slim, long tail.	Seen at 50 yards for two seconds. Bounded over road in front of car. Reported to police
June	Dunaverty golf course, Southend, Argyll & Bute	Cat, black as tar, bigger than Alsatian, five to six feet in length, long and slinky,small head. I	Crossed golf course in front of male witness and made two slow bounds.
1 st June	Nr Monikie, Angus	Large black cat, long thick tail.	Seen by two witnesses. Jumped onto raod and stood before jumping into field.
June and July	Nr Monikie, Angus	Two horses injured in seperate incidents.	Cause of injuries unclear. Area hotspot for cat sightings.
3 rd June	Ballumbie, Angus	Black cat, blunt face, larger and longer legs and longer thicker tail than domestic. Size of Staffordshire bull terrier.	Seen at "two lamp posts" distance by student
4 th June	Near Cupar, Fife	Jet black, no visible markings. Body length 3-4 feet, long thick tail curved down and up at tip. Legs thick and strong looking. Looked heavier than 26 kg labrador.	Seen by four witnesses including retired Police WLO. Seen at 50 yards, walking up hill with head down. Cat never looked back.
11 th June	Birnie Loch Nature Reserve, by Freuchie, Fife	Black cat, size of Border collie, very large head, long tail, curled at the end.	Seen by two witnesses. Lying across the path eating something, unaware of witnesses.
14 th June	Inverurie Golf Course, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire	big cat	Seen by three golfers
20 th June	Auchtermuchty, Fife	Black cat, slim and sleek body, long legs , very long tail, about five feet long, including tail.	Seen by male motorist. Cat crossed road in three strides.
20 th June	Near Balmullo, Fife	Jet Black in colour, size of Leopard	Seen by by member of Scottish Big Cats through binnoculars a field away for 50 - 60 secs. Sat up and then loped away.
26 th June	Cardrona, Scottish Borders	Black cat, slightly larger than retriever, long tail, flattish face.	Sheep and horse agitated. Seen by dog walker. Animal moved down line of a wall.
28 th June	A703 by Portmore Loch, Scottish Borders	Huge cat like creature, 4 ft body, 2 feet high, very long tail turned up at the tip	Seen by keen sportsman at 60 yards. Walking across road in front of car.
late June	Galston, East Ayrshire	Initially though to be black labrador then seen to be cat-like.	Seen beside farm worker. Animal jumped hedge and disappeared. Horses spooked
July	Just south of Perth	Large black cat, "possibly a panther"	Seen by 10 year old from train. Lying down in cage in back garden
2 nd July	By Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire	Alsation sized black cat. Tops of legs could be seen above long grass	Seen by at 50 m for a few second by driver. Standing watching road.
3 rd July	Johnstone, Renfrewshire	Tan, 5 ft long, pointed ears, long tail	Seen by four witnesses in two sightings in hospital grounds. Police searched with helicopter.
3 rd July	Johnstone, Renfrewshire	Tan, 5 ft long, pointed ears, long tail	Seen by fifth witness in evening.
3 rd July	Foxbar, Paisley, Renfrewshire	Large lynx-like creature, distinctive square-shaped face, big ears, long legs, stealthy, loping walk	Seen by witness by his flat.
5 th July	Ayrshire	Black cat larger than alsation. Initially though to be dog.	Seen by female witness in garden with high security fence. Alsation guard dog ran at animal then retreated into garage.
6 th July	Glenrothes, Fife	Dark brown, very large, size of Roe deer, long curling tail, long body, relatively small head, pointed ears.	Seen by female motorist. Walking along verge. Frightened by car and ran off into bushes.
10 th July	A91 between Cupar and Auchtermuchty, Fife	Dark mottled possibly brown/grey coloured cat, twice the size of fox it was chasing	Seen by female motorist. Ran over road and chased fox into the long grass and bushes.
10 th July	Dufftown, Moray	Light Brown cat, size of Alsation, short smooth coat, long tail with white tip.	Seen by female dog walker. Cat oblivious to witness. Stalking something in bushes.
before 12 th July	Longsdale road Oban, Argyll and Bute	Big black cat.	Possible Kellas cat
14 th July	7 miles east of Aboyne, Aberdeenshire	Large black labrador-sized cat. Eyes luminous yellow	Seen by two witnesses in car at 5 yards ft. Crossed road then stopped on woodland track..
16 th July	By Dunfermline, Fife	Large cat like creature, black, sleek-looking, size of large dog, 25 inches in height and 33 inches body length (not including head or tail), long thin tail	Seen by witness in car at 20 - 30 ft. Second witness, who did not see cat, heard rustling in field.
before 18 th July	Gala Hill, Scottish Borders	Black beast bigger than a cat. Like black Alsatian with a white blaze, not same build, pricked-up ears. Possible black fox?	Seen by ex-Health Board Boss in a field of stock. Ran off for 80 yards then stopped and looked back before taking off again to the edge of a wood. Pawprints also found. 5 cats disappeared in area.
21 st July	By Galston, East Ayrshire	Large black cat	Seen sitting by roadside cleaning self. Previous sighting several weeks before.
25 th July	Delgatie woods, nr Turriff, Aberdeenshire	Fawn coloured cat, very muscular, long body and tail with white tip, small head, short ears.	Seen female dog walker at 20 yards in woods.
25 th July	Newtyle, Angus	Much larger than domestic cat, size of border collie but longer and more sleek. Black with dark amber tinge. Hair not short, but medium length.	Seen by motorist in headlights at 25- 30 ft running across road.
26 th July	Galashiels, Scottish Borders	Gold coloured, size of collie, described as American Bobcat	Seen by man and niece at 50 yards by path looking into field. Photo taken. Previous sighting in July 1994.
27 th July	A706 near Linlithgow, West Lothian	Slightly bigger and browner than a fox, long round tail - no bush. Moved with cat like lope.	Seen by motorist at 40 yards running across road.
28 th July	Inverrurie, Aberdeenshire	Large, black cat, big face, big teeth. Possible Kellas cat	Seen in garden. Arched back then ran through hedge.
29 th July	Port Logan, Dumfries and Galloway	Sandy coloured, size of Alsation, body longer. Tail same length as body. Head roundish	Seen by three witnesses crossing ploughed field. Cat like, slinky movements, shoulder blades moving
30 th July	Dunblane, Stirlingshire	Very large black cat.	Seen by female witness by housing estate.
July/August	Newbigging, Angus	Black beast, possibly a cat	Ran in front of lorry at quarry.
4 th August	Redwell Woods, Fife	Large black coloured, cat like animal.	Seen by two female horse riders in wood. One has two previous sightings in same area.
before 5 th August	Galston, East Ayrshire	Big cat.	Seen in garden. Collie disappeared
5 th August	Ballantrae, South Ayrshire	Large, black cat, taller and longer than Labrador, flowing black tail, short pointed ears	Seen running across field into and out of trees. Second sighting two days later
6 th August	A912, Gateside to Bein Inn Road, Fife	Black cat, bigger than labrador dog, good condition, tail curled up at end and almost as long as body.	Seen by dog walker walking through trees..
7 th August	Ballantrae, South Ayrshire	No animal seen, but rabbits fled, crashing heard in undergrowth, cat-like screech heard.	Several witnesses. Large black cat seen two days previously.
September to November (over several weeks)	Southend, Kintyre, Argyll	Many sheep deaths. Heads and spinal cords torn off	A cage was found at Dalsmirren suggesting an animal may have been released.
September	Hill by Shanwell Cemetery, Carnoustie, Angus	Large cat	Seen by female witness on hill near dump.
3 rd September	Culbokie to Fortrose road, Ross and Cromarty, Highland	Large black cat-like creature, about 120lbs, long tail curled up at end. Witness also had sighting in 1970s	Seen by motorist at 200 yards
26 th June	Cardrona, Scottish Borders	White cat, larger than a domestic.	Video made.
20 th September	Keith to Banff road, Aberdeenshire	Uniform khaki colour, like a domestic cat, but much bigger, almost size of an Alsatian, bigger ears than domestic, even scaled up. Witness matched it to photos of African Golden cat	Ran across road in front of driver who got a good look at cat.
20 th September	Drumgeith Road, Dundee	Jet black, size of very large dog, thick, round tail like a cat rather than bushy tail like a fox	Glimpsed by couple as it shot across road in front of their car.
21 st September	Carnoustie, Angus	Jet black, bigger than a fox and unmistakably feline, "in general size and build a lynx"	Watched by off duty policeman at 150-200 through binnoculars for over 20 minutes.
23 rd September	Cockburn Farm, Balerno, City of Edinburgh	Labrador sized black cat, very long thick tail	Short but most recent of several sightings. Seen at 100 yards by two witnesses.
24 th September	Eskbank, Midlothian	Puma-like, 3 ft long with similar length tail	Seen by dog walker for 6-7 secs.
24 th September	Between Inverurie & Kemnay, Aberdeenshire	Cat, size between large domestic and spaniel, body & tail combined over three foot, tail with distinctive bars. Probably large wildcat	Run over by car.
26 th September	Eaglesfield, nr Ecclefechan, Dumfries and Galloway	Large dark cat-like creature, size of Alsatian, big tail, wide head, like cat on amateur video taken last year at Middlebie.	Several witnesses. Came out of the trees and onto lawn of large house, looked at workmen, put it's tail up in the air and bolted into the woods again.
end of September	Clovenfords, Scottish Borders	Large black cat, long tail, not a dog	Seen by female motorist. Bounded across road.
late September	Bowdenmoor reservoir, Melrose, Scottish Borders	Black or very dark, size of German Shepherd Dog, puma-like in shape, quite a long tail.	Witness has seen big cats in Africa. Cat came out of bushes, paused at 30 yards, looked for a while then disappeared.
last week of September	Eaglesfield, nr Ecclefechan, Dumfries and Galloway	Large dark cat-like creature, size of Alsatian, big tail, wide head, like cat on amateur video taken last year at Middlebie.	Several witnesses. Came out of the trees and onto lawn of large house, looked at workmen, put it's tail up in the air and bolted into the woods again.
October	Drumsmittal, Ross and Cromarty, Highland	'Puma.'	Seen disappearing into cave by female witness
7 th October	Road between Parbroath and Dundee, Fife	Large black cat, about size of a full-grown puma	Seen for 30 seconds by two occupants of car.
11 th October	Bo'ness, West Lothian	Sightings of a 'cougar'.	On foreshore.
12 th October	Culbokie, Ross and Cromarty, Highland	Two sheep killed	Not killed by dogs. Possible big cat kills.
13 th October	Newton of Falkland to Freuchie Road, at Newton of Lathrisk Farm, Fife	Jet black, bigger than labrador dog, long tail.	Seen by driver. Jumped over wall, across road and into woods.
20 th October	"The Clink", Pitmedden Forest, nr Auchtermuchty, Fife	Black cat, as big as labrador.	Seen by female walker. Walking along path. Ran when saw witness.
23 rd October	B842 south of Saddell, Argyll & Bute	Size of a Labrador dog but much sleeker. Black with yellow flash towards top and back of head. Long tail, curving towards tip	Seen by driver. Crossed road in front of car
27 th October	Pitmedden Forest, nr Auchtermuchty, Fife	Black, sleek looking cat ,body length three feet, long tail.	Seen by female dog walker. Cat flushed out by dogs, but larger than them.
28 th October	Hatton, by Carnoustie, Angus	Rusty brown cat	Seen by two witnesses. Pawprints also seen at Letham Grange.
November	Eyemouth Golf Club, Scottish Borders	Large cat, 'like a lynx'	Walker's dog confronted cat. Three previous sightings in same area.
November	Balerno, City of Edinburgh	Puma like animal	Seen prowling near garden.
3 rd November	Loganswell, near Mearnskirk, East Renfrewshire	Huge black cat, twice size of large domestic , very long body, "proportionate tail", "perked" ears, very bright eyes, about 2 feet high, body very close to ground	Seen by lby female witness at her home. Cat climbed over coal bunker and logs then slunk off
4 th November	A92 by Rathillet, Fife	Large black creature, size of fully-grown puma	Seen by lorry driver for 30 seconds at 20 yards, walking along side of field.
mid November	Crookston, Glasgow	Jet black, German Shepherd size,short ears, extremely long tail which swept downwards, head puma shaped	Seen for 90 secs from 200 to 100 yards, wandering down railway track.
16 th November	Nr Martnaham Loch, East Ayrshire	Black panther like creature, size of a large German Shepard dog	Seen crossing field by driver.
17 th November	Dalgairn Steadings, Cupar, Fife	Jet black, body at least "Labrador length" but slimmer, tail about 3/4 the body length and fairly thick.	Watched by witness through binnoculars for some time..
26 th November	Kirkcudbright Wildlife Park, Dumfries and Galloway	Caracal escaped	Disappeared some time between the 25 th and 10 am on the 26 th
29 th November	Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway	Escaped Caracal	Seen in garden shed.
29 th November	Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway	Escaped Caracal	Seen by two boys at gold course.
December	Cardrona, Scottish Borders	White animal, neither dog nor fox, with cat-like face.	Seen by two witnesses at a distance.
2 nd December	Muasdale, Argyll and Bute	Large dark-coloured cat, white tip to tail	25 miles by road from sheep killings at Southend
2 nd December	Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway	Escaped Caracal	Seen in back garden.
5 th December	Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway	Escaped Caracal?	Possible sighting
before 11 th December	Culbokie, Highland	Sheep killed	Stomach removed, whole animal eaten
13 th December	Cardrona, Scottish Borders	Three minute film of a large white cat.	Filmed at half a mile distance.
13 th December	Cannee Farm, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway	Escaped Caracal	Recaptured
18 th December	Tillycoultry, Clackmannanshire	Black, not tall but slim and long, long think black tail.	Very fast with belly scraping ground. Ran rather like a cheetah. Two sightings by same witness.
before 23 rd December	Dalgaven Mill, North Ayrshire	Brown cat-like animal	Seen by motorist running across road.
around 23 rd December	Beith, North Ayrshire	large black cat	Seen by several witnesses.
23 rd December	Ardrossan, North Ayrshire	3ft-tall, dark-coloured cat-like beast with piercing yellow eyes and a very long tail.At least a foot taller than 2 1/2 foothigh grass.	Seen for about two minutes at 35 yards by three police officers who were called out to report of "woman screaming". Cat came out of the bushes at 35 yards. Moved forward into a crouching position with easy shoulder movements. Policemen backed towards their vehicle, returning later with dog handler, but animal had vanished.
late 2002	nr Newtonmore, Highland	large black cat as big as a lab	Seen by female witness.
late 2002	nr Newtonmore, Highland	Back cat, much larger than a domestic	Seen by gamekeeper on several occasions.

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