Report from Reuel Chisholm

Woman's Big Cat Scare

From the Press and Journal 26 th July 2003

Curiosity almost killed a mysterious big cat prowling Aberdeenshire when it ran in front of a car.

It certainly gave Belhelvie woman Kathleen Smith a start when the enormous black beast ran across the road and into woods near Dyce.

Big cat investigators say the feline could be the same beast seen in Kingswells by Aleen and Andy Shinnie at the end of March.

Mrs Smith had been on her way to work at Aberdeen Airport when she came across the beast at Parkhill. "It was amazing. It was just like a little lion but jet black," she said. "It had a big head and a long curly tail. I just thought it was quite wonderful, but I did get a bit of a fright."

Ian Whitehead, project manager of Aberdeen Countryside Project, said he was surprised by the sighting, but added: "This is the first one I've heard of in that area, though I've read reports of something at the Craibstone Estate. You just have to go on what you hear from other people. It's not impossible."

Press and Journal, 26 th July 2003

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