Scottish Wildcat

I have long been interested in the Scottish Wildcat, but have never been fortunate enough to see one yet.

This project sounds extremely exciting ...

Taken from the BBC website.

Scottish wildcat monitored for wildlife project
The Scottish wildcat, one of Britain's most elusive predators, has been captured by hidden cameras as part of a ground-breaking study.

Published: 7:30AM BST 20 Apr 2010



A Scottish wildcat attracted by pheasant bait to a camera trap in the Cairngorms National Park Photo: NEIL ANDERSON

Scientists have used specialist equipment including motion detectors, infra-red technology and camera traps to trace the movements of the animal.

The cat is endangered, with less than 400 believed to be living in the Scottish Highlands.

Nicknamed the Highland tiger, the secretive and bad-tempered wildcat can be identified by its huge bushy tail.

Once found across the British mainland, habitat loss and interbreeding with domestic cats has led to numbers falling dramatically, with a small population remaining in Scotland.

The scientists have set up a series of camera traps in Cairngorms National Park in the hope that pictures will provide vital information to help them to learn more about the cat's habits, which in the long run could save it from extinction.

Lead scientist Dr David Hetherington, of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, told the BBC: ''These camera traps are an excellent way of us getting a much better insight into where wildcats live, when they're active, and what habitat they're using.

''The major threat to wildcats these days is hybridisation, or interbreeding, with domestic cats.

''Although they are quite different and have a completely different temperament, they are actually quite closely related genetically to domestic cats so they can produce fertile hybrids.

''If that continues we are going to lose our pure Scottish wildcat.''

I read that article yesterday.

I think I saw one in the wild on one occasion a few years ago although with these type of things it's never easy to say for certain.

Here's a wee snap of a not so wild one....

Aww bless! Is that your puss Phil?

A wildcat has apparently been sighted in the grounds of the holiday cottages I stayed in last year on Ardnamurchan (just at the head of Loch Sunart), so worth keeping your eyes peeled when you are at Liddesdale (as I am sure you already do!).

I got a glimpse of what I thought was a wildcat on one holiday on Ardnamurchan, but after chasing up the single track after it, it turned out to be a plain moggie

Now, I am going to tell you that if you are interested in wildcats, you should definitely read "Wildcat Haven" by Mike Tomkies But you haven't even read Moobli yet!

No that is actually a wildcat albeit in a pen.

Sunart is a s good as anywhere to see them - along with pinemartins.

Moobli - will be my book for Glenelg lol

They are truly fabulous cats.

Hi Moobli

Just wandered if you got your username from the book Moobli by Mike Tomkies?

I did wonder if it was a "proper" wildcat, but couldn't see the distinct thick black-striped tail.

Are you staying at Glenelg this year, as well as Liddesdale? Another area I also love - although I usually stay at the Shiel Bridge area.

I took video of a pine marten last year when we stayed at the hol cottage at the head of Loch Sunart

Re: Moobli - I will believe it when I see (hear!) it

Yep Luchi It is my fave book by my fave author Have you read it?

No just Glenelg this year.

I'd booked Liddesdale with Giles on the phone for July but he mucked up the dates so when I called to confirm he only had a week available that we couldn't do.

In a way it will be nice to stay somewhere different this time and I think we can just about manage one holiday away from Liddesdale

The place we've booked at Glenelg is between Glenelg itself and Sandaig.

I read it many years ago, loved it. Made me cry!!