YOUR VIEWS: Big black cats in Moray
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READERS have reacted to an article by our wildlife columnist Merlin, on the topic of big black cat sightings.
In his article, our columnist tells the tale of the Kellas cat – named after the Moray village where one was killed by a gamekeeper in 1984.
However, he asked: "Where have all the big black cats of the Moray countryside gone?"
Taking to the Facebook comments below the story, readers weighed in with a range of sighting stories along with some scepticism of the mysterious cats.
Jamie Mac, from Aberlour, said: "About seven years ago I had three sightings of a big black cat in Edinvillie with a puma build about it but acting like a young cat.
"Four feet long and the tail was the same, two eyewitness seen it.
"I also have pictures of the foot prints.
"They are out there, so are lynx.
"Seen a few of them in the Oakwood by Elgin, and saw a dead one been hit with a car. It was reported in the 90s."
Jonathan MacNeil, however, offered a different perspective on the reports.
His comment said: "Specsavers?"
Michael Legge claimed he had spotted a Kellas cat at the Muiry Wood in Forres last summer, while Lossiemouth man Craig Cordell said he had: "Saw heaps, but not worth mentioning as people call you a liar even with photos."
Wendy Clarihew said: "Oh they're still out there and still being seen.
"But folk are made to feel so daft that they don't report it."
Just days after the article was published, Moray man Stewart Taylor contacted the Northern Scot to share his own story.
In his message, Mr Taylor said: "I have seen a very large cat on a recent bike ride."
"It was on the Pluscarden road between bowls and the bridge, before the climb to Forres.
"It spotted me before I could get my phone out to take a photograph and disappeared into the forest.
"It was a lot bigger than a domestic cat for sure."
The story was also shared to a group named Big Cat Sightings in Scotland.
In response to Merlin's question, Heather Maxwell McLennan said: "I was wondering the same.
"My friend lived in an old bothy with a tin roof on the edge of the Culbin Forest.
"Her bins were often raided and having seen a large black cat on a few occasions and hearing stories she was pretty sure who the culprit was."
