British Big Cats

Shaun Stevens: Argyllshire.

I'm unfortunately nearing my 40's and I've been interested in unexplained phenomena from the age of about 10. (Who remembers the fortnightly part-work "The Unexplained" in the 70's).

With a great love of mystery animals and Cryptozoology in general, I was glad to find, when I moved to Argyll in Scotland nearly 20 years ago, we had a big cat on our doorstep.
Actually literally on our doorstep. About 15 years ago, at my house, which was on the edge of fields and woodlands, (We often had deer in the garden) I let my wee cavalier spaniel outside for her nightly walk, only for her to get to the top of the garden, stop, and run straight back into the house shaking. Unsure what was happening I went outside and heard this low rumble/growling sound. With no lights outside it was pitch black, I didn't stay around long and shot back into the house.
A few days later a big black cat was spotted by a farmer a few miles away.

Here in Argyll there seems to have been sightings of cats for about 20 years, which makes me believe, that either there is a breeding population or more likely several releases. A large metal cage was found by a farmer, dumped in a field. Around the same time, a number of sheep were killed.
Kintyre is very much like an island, and being in the Gulf Stream has weather unlike the most of Scotland. (Campbeltown has palm trees in its streets and we very rarely have snow or even frost). It's very remoteness, huge woodlands and forests, lack of large populated areas. and huge amounts of game, (small mammals, pheasants, grouse, deer, wild goats as well as sheep and cattle), is an ideal place for a cat to survive.
Although I remain a sceptic at heart on most things, (I'm a great one for "show me the proof"), I am convinced, due the nature and number of sightings that the Argyll cat exists. My only hope is to see it one day.
I am interested in collating any sightings in the Argyll area, and all sightings will be treated in strict confidence with witnesses remaining anonymous if requested.
Shaun Stevens

Click below to report a sighting from the following:
Argyll & Bute, Perthshire, Ross-shire & Cromartyshire, Sutherland, Caithness, Shetland, Orkney, Aberdeenshire, Inverness - shire, Kincardineshire, Angus, Morayshire, Banffshire, Nairnshire