Scottish wildcat
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The Scottish wildcat is a fascinating breed of wild kitty. Only found in Northern Scotland, these cats lurk around in the highlands, giving them their ‘highland tiger’ nickname. While Scottish…
Two rare Scottish wildcats born at The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo in April emerged from their den recently and have been busy exploring their habitat. The kittens will join a conservation breeding programme which it is hoped will save the iconic species from extinction in the wild through future reintroductions. David Barclay, ... Read more
By John-Paul Holden
Scottish clans (from Scottish Gaelic clann, "children"), give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs officially registered with the court of...
Seen at the British Wildlife Centre.
Hello! Have you ever suffered a mental itch? An idea or theme you long to use creatively but can't find the right project? Well, the desire to write about the Scottish wildcat bubbled away in my mind for years, but I couldn’t find my way in. Should I incorporate a wildcat into a novel? Write a short story? Or shorter still, create a flash fiction piece? Nothing worked. THE GREAT SCOTTISH CANVAS Then I heard of The Great Scottish Canvas, a project launched by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) aiming to showcase people’s vision for a greener and fairer Scotland. The search was on for voices from across the country, expressed in both poetry and artwork. Now, drawing isn’t my thing, and although I’ve dabbled with poetry, I could never describe myself as a poet. But I really wanted to write about the Scottish wildcat. So, I did what I would advise newbie writers against and bent the rules, just a tiny bit, by writing a piece of prose poetry, otherwise known as flash fiction. And ‘The Fight of the Wyld Cattis’ was born. A Scottish wildcat, also known as a Highland Tiger... WHY THE SCOTTISH WILDCAT? Wildcats of all shapes and sizes fascinate me – their beauty, their strength, along with often solitary, survival skills. It’s believed that Scotland’s wildcat, also affectionately known as the Highland Tiger, arrived just after the Ice Age, and thrived in Scotland’s secluded valleys and forests. But now, after centuries of being hunted, they are critically endangered. There are estimated to be between only 50 and 400 pure bred animals still surviving in the wild. With water-proof fur allowing them to swim (unlike domestic cats, whose fur becomes waterlogged), and a fearsome reputation that means, per pound, it is regarded as the most vicious cat on the planet, the Highland Wildcat played a huge part in Scotland’s history, as a symbol of vigour and courage. COP26 - to be held in Glasgow in November 2021 WHERE WILL THE GREAT SCOTTISH CANVAS BE SHOWCASED? Given how passionately I feel about the need to protect the Scottish wildcat, imagine my delight when I received word that my piece was to be included in an online exhibition, which opens today, Saturday 18th September. But there’s more... ‘The Fight of the Wyld Cattis’ is one of 45 pieces selected to be published in a Great Scottish Canvas Book, which WWF Scotland will bring to COP26 – the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2021. My love for the wildcat means my piece will sit alongside a poem from Alexander McCall Smith, as well as writing from former Makar, Jackie Kay. Additionally, it will be exhibited at the Glasgow Science Centre during the month of October. I couldn’t be more thrilled. The beautiful Scottish wildcat is critically endangered... WHAT HAVE I LEARNED? But what has the project taught me? Firstly, to be patient and trust the muse will come when the time is right. Secondly, I usually write creative fiction, but the piece I wanted to write for the Canvas veered into nature writing. Could I pull it off? I had no idea, but I was determined to do my research and give it a try. So, be bold, try new things – whatever your creative discipline. Who knows where it might lead. Finally, I learned to follow my heart. In my case it was shining a spotlight on the plight of the Scottish wildcat. I’m thrilled my piece has been selected, but I’m far more delighted that one of Scotland’s most vulnerable animals has found a place in the Canvas. So, have you worked on a passion project which stretched you creatively? And what did you learn? To read ‘The Fight of the Wyld Cattis’ and see the other inspiring entries, as well as discovering more about The Great Scottish Canvas, just click on the link here... Enter The Great Scottish Canvas Gallery. Happy reading! Rae x
This massive reserve in the Scottish Highlands has numerous rewilding projects on the go. But the cutest and most ferocious residents have to be the Scottish wildcats.
Staff at the wildlife conservation charity say thekittens, a boy and a girl, will be named in the coming weeks.
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Seen at the British Wildlife Centre.
One of the last strongholds of Scottish wildcats has been discovered in the north-east by a group of conservationists fighting tooth and nail to save the
June 2013 A firefly (Photuris lucicrescens) or “lightning bug” is a crepuscular beetle June 2013 Cat lovers love their cats, but let’s be honest: Not all cat lovers know cat facts…
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Pound for pound the Scottish wildcat is one of the most impressive predators in the world; intelligent, fearless, resourceful, patient, agile and powerful they are genuine superpredators. wildcats look similar to domestic cats, these are no feral or farm cats run wild; they're Britain's only remaining large wild predator and have walked this land for millions of years before mankind arrived or domestic cats appeared. Every inch a cat in every sense of the word the Scottish wildcat epitomises the independent, mysterious and wild spirit of the Highlands like no other creature. www.scottishwildcats.co.uk/wildcat.html
Scottish Wildcat by Julie Mitchell
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Hello Flickr friends! I'm delighted to be back viewing your wonderful images! With a reputation of being wild and untameable, the Scottish wildcat is one of our most elusive and fearsome species. Agile and intelligent, the wildcat is also known as the ’Highland Tiger’ and is more endangered than the tigers of South-east Asia and Siberia. (Info from Scottish Natural Heritage) I photographed this one in the Five Sisters Zoo, Scotland. Thanks for taking the time to visit and for your kind comments - I appreciate it!
Seen at the British Wildlife Centre, on a damp and foggy day.
Explore Sera.D.'s 379 photos on Flickr!
Some of the rarest cat breeds are among the most beautiful and interesting. Learn more about the rarest cat breeds, along with facts about their origins and care.
The Species Recovery Trust, which is behind the Lost Life Project, hopes that by publicising this issue they can help prevent a further loss of biodiversity.
From its ghostly peat bog moors, to the minke whales and basking sharks patrolling its islands, Scotland contains some of the most unspoiled territory left in Europe.
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