The Fox and the Wildcat

Written by Alexander Gunn, A Native of Badbea, and published in the Northern Ensign, August 17, 1882. Part E

 

"The Clach-an-garabh was a famous resort of the fox and the wild cat, the former which used to prey on our fowls in Badbea during the dead hours of the night. It was not an unusual thing to be disturbed at midnight by a screeching among the hens on the roost, the cause of which was well known to be Mr Reynard helping himself to a fowl. He retired by the cat’s hole in the end of the byre, where he managed sometimes to carry off his prize, but if pursued, as occasionally he was, he would part with his spoil and escape with his life, leaving the fowl dead behind him. He used to show great skill in choosing the best fowl on the roost".

 

My Comments

The Scottish Wildcat looks like a domestic cat but is larger, with a thicker coat, stubby tail and a distinctive striped coat.

It is in danger of going extinct (partly because of interbreeding with domestic cats) and is found now only in remote areas of the Highlands.

Several organisations have programmes aimed to save Scotland’s wild cats.