are there wildcats near me???

[JACKKK]

Hello all i have a question concerning wildcats and im sure this is one of the best places to ask..
I would like to see a wildcat in its natural habitat and i am wondering if there is any in my local area. I live in farr around 8-10 miles out of inverness and i have asked around all the major wildcat charities and they say that my area is a bit of an unknown apart from 1 or 2 road kills . any information people can give me would be greatfully appreciated as i have set myself a challenge to see one in the wild before the end of this year!
again thank you for your help!!

[jamesthornton]

Wildcats are around Aviemore, is that not far from you?

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by jamesthornton

Wildcats are around Aviemore, is that not far from you?

A question:
How pure of the wildcats these days? What percentage are tainted with domestic / feral?

[larachmor]

Originally Posted by JACKKK

Hello all i have a question concerning wildcats and im sure this is one of the best places to ask..
I would like to see a wildcat in its natural habitat and i am wondering if there is any in my local area. I live in farr around 8-10 miles out of inverness and i have asked around all the major wildcat charities and they say that my area is a bit of an unknown apart from 1 or 2 road kills . any information people can give me would be greatfully appreciated as i have set myself a challenge to see one in the wild before the end of this year!
again thank you for your help!!

Most forested areas of Highland Scotland are favourable for wildcat. However, your self-imposed challenge to see one before the end of the year is certainly very ambitious. Your more likely to get a fleeting glance as one scampers across the road late evening in front of you.
A friend of mine had the good fortune to have a wildcat visiting woodland within sight of her house from time to time. To get a photo I had to have my gear in the car on standby all day, and even though it only involved a ten-minute dash it took me some months to eventually get my shot below.
So, it's a very difficult subject to set out your stall for, and perhaps a camera trap would be your best option.
As for the other question, regarding purity of the wildcat: The only way to determine this would be with a DNA sample, though a good quality image showing markings on the flank, and the characteristic blunt ringed tail helps.
Plenty of info here ....

Highland Tiger : The Scottish Wildcat

[JACKKK]

great thank you and fabulous photo btw! and aviemore is moderatley close to me so i will have to have a wee look up there soon. On another note if i put out a camera trap could i place some cat nip near it and would this attract a cat? I know this could be a silly question but i have seen it work on larger cats aswell as my own domestic moggy and thanks again for the help!

[Hobjob]

Thanks Bill, that is a great link.

[STYRBJORN]

Don't take this as gospel, but I read somewhere that the estimated total population of Scottish wildcats is ~400, of which no more than 80 are pure-bred.

Ric