Unidentified skull

[CheadleHulme]

Skull found on a beach near Mallaig. No side view, sorry. Coin for size reference is a pound (22.5mm). Thoughts, please.

[Dogghound]

An Otter.

[The Woodman]

Dogghound is right.

I was going to add a bit about mustelid skulls and noted that Dogghound had posted. He's quick off the mark!

[tcvarlh]

I know, irritating habit isn't it?
h

[featherandhay]

Congratulations on this amazing find! I had to look twice as something about the proportions and the size fooled me for a few moments. Had to dig out my own specimens, so here's my Welsh otter and Scottish pine marten skulls for comparison. The size gives it away, really, although my example is a smallish Pine Marten skull, and I'd guess my otter was older than your specimen, as yours has a less developed saggital crest.

Cheers
Ric M

[Wild-Woman]

The sockets left where the massive canines used to be are really noticeable toothless like this. A really good find.