Report from Phil Crosby
Allan Paul believes the tracks which were photographed belong to a Domestic Cat

Large Cat seen at Chapel Garioch

21 st February 2002

Chapel Garioch, Aberdeenshire 21st February 2002. NB This will probably be in P&J on Friday with possible photos of tracks.

I was called late last night by Steven Clark who live in the area of Chapel Garioch. Yesterday morning at around 7.45 he spotted a large black cat around 100m from the Bennachie Centre. He left his vehicle and approached to within around 25 feet - it saw him coming and tried to hide under bushes.

He describes it as being larger than an alsation but with a proportionally longer body, with a 3 ft tail and an intense black in colour (there was snow on ground which may have magnified the colour or the animal may have been wet). It had a roundish face but what he thought were smallish pointed ears. He decided he was close enough and retreated to car once he realised what he was looking at.

Once he was clear the animal crossed road and ran up a bank and away. He measured the prints & gait (hooray, a man who realised the gait may be useful) and contacted P&J who sent a photographer and also apparently suggested our website if he wanted any useful info on cats.

He described the clearest print as being around 3 inches across (but this was on snow and at base of bank so combination of soft surface and need to push off in jump may magnify normal paw print). He measured the gait as being 42" but he wasn't certain which were front or rear paw prints so the measurement may be inaccurate, even if the intent is commendable.

Hopefully more detail on this in P&J, as well as a photo of print.

I would note that this is only a few miles from the Lords Throat where we have a sighting. The area has had several sightings over recent years, which our imaginative media have entitled "The Beast of Bennachie".

Scottish Big Cats, 21 st February 2002

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