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Best Places to See Scottish Wildcats

Best Places to see Scottish Wildcats – how to uncover Scotland’s best kept secret

Considered an Icon of the Scottish Wilderness the Scottish Wildcat is not a myth it is a genuine wild species of cat.

In the days of William Wallace and Rob Roy Mcgregor Scottish Wildcats were so common clans formed together under their images to fight for lands, possessions and independence. Today it is believed less than 400 remain in the wilds of Scotland with inter breeding sadly pushing the existence of these beautiful large mammal predators to extinction.

Housecats were not introduced to the British Isles until the Medeaval period, however the Scottish Wildcat made it’s home in Scotland long before mankind & Loch Ness Monster Sightings ! adapting to the constant changing weather patterns, using Scotland’s remote country terrain to its advantage.

Even in captivity they are infamously untameable, they may look like your Friendly Pet Cat, but in reality they are incredibly tough Hunter / Predators often known as “The Tiger of the Highlands”

In Celtic mythology, the wildcat was associated with rites of divination and other worldly encounters. Images of deity heads with cat-like ears have been found including that of the Irish figure of Cairbre Caitchenn (Cairbre Cat-Head), who was believed to have been the ancestor of one Irish tribe. Even the Picts venerated wildcats, having probably named Caithness (Land of the Cats) after them. According to the foundation myth of the Catti tribe, their ancestors were attacked by wildcats when first landing in Scotland. Their ferocity impressed the Catti tribe so much, that the wildcat became their symbol. A thousand years later, the progenitors of Clan Sutherland, equally impressed, adopted the wildcat on their family crest. The Chief of Clan Sutherland bears the title Morair Chat (Great Man of the Cats). The Clan Chattan Association (also known as Clan of Cats) is made up of 12 different clans, the majority of which display the wildcat on their badges.

Compared to other feline members the wildcat is a small species and similar in appearance to a striped tabby cat, but with relatively longer legs, a more robust build, greater volume and long tail usually exceeding one-half of the animal’s body length.

Its skull is more spherical in shape than that of the jungle and leopard cat. The ears are moderate in length, and broad at the base. The eyes are large, with vertical pupils, and yellowish-green irises.. Its dentition is relatively smaller and weaker than the jungle cat’s. The Scottish Species size is usually the largest Males measuring up to 90 cm 36 inches in body length and up to 40 cm 16 inch in tail length, and weighing 5 up to to 8 kg 18 lb. Females are slightly smaller, measuring up to 77 cm 30 inch in body length and up to 35 cm 14 inch in tail length & weighing up to 5 kg 11 lb.

The wildcat has excellent night vision, having up to 100% higher retinal ganglion cell densities than a Housecat. It may have colour vision as the densities of its cone receptors are more than 100% higher than in the Housecat. Its sense of smell is highly tuned and it can detect meat at up to 200 metres. The wildcat’s whiskers are white reaching up to 8 cm in length on the lips and can number up to 16 on each side. The eyelashes range from 5 to 6 cm in length, and can number up to 8 per side. Whiskers are also present on the inner surface of the wrist and can measure up to 4 cm.

The Scottish Wildcat Association

Is committed to helping this critically endangered species. They carry out a wide range of campaigns and projects designed to rebuild and conserve the wildcat population across the Scottish Highlands through active fieldwork, support of scientific research, fund Raising for the captive breeding programme and general public education about Scottish Wildcats.

Best Places to See Scottish Wildcats

The remote Countryside locations in the Western and Northern Highlands of Scotland are Best. Here is a list of our most Remote Holiday Cottages in areas where Scottish Wildcats have been recorded as seen over the past few Years

Cowal peninsula, Argyll and Bute Isle of Skye and the Western Isles Wester Ross and North Highlands The Beautiful Northern Coastlines
Borders loch Lomond, Trossachs Cairngorms, loch ness & Central

Cowal, Argyll and Bute

St Catherines, Argyll, sleeps 6. Beautiful detached holiday cottage nestling on the banks of Loch Fyne with it’s lovely mature garden extending to the waters edge and it’s own moorings, where visitors can tie up their own boats. Shore cottage enjoys all modern Luxury including Central heating and Log Fires and WiFi and is so close to the water you actually feel within it sitting just 20 yards from the waters edge offering clear un-restricted views up, down and across Loch Fyne to Inverary and beyond. Pets Welcome
 
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Loch Eck, Argyll, Whistlefield Lodges sleeps 4. Chance to re-connect with nature Cosy Log Cabins by Loch Eck Argyll, (some with Hot Tub and Sauna) enjoying stunning Loch, Forest and Mountain Views with Red Squirrels and lot’s of wildlife as company, walking distance 300 yards of the Loch side and a cosy 13th century Inn / Restaurant – less than 90 minutes drive from Glasgow. Pets Welcome
 
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near Tighnabruaich, Argyll, Hillside Cottage sleeps 5. Something a little different and unique offering an escape from Reality, this Remote detached rustic Cottage, is without electricity, let alone central heating. However the cottage is beautifully constructed, maintained and insulated with thick stone walls and as much fresh mountain spring water as you need. Unlimited Fire wood is provided for the back boiler Stove and Open Fires, along with lamp oil & candles. A Gas cooker & back up heating is also provided. Pets Welcome
 
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Argyll West Coast, The old Turbine House sleeps 2. Remote Seaside Holiday Cottage on Argyll’s West Coast. This 1 Bedroom detached Holiday Cottage just a stones throw from a sandy beach and rolling west highland hills offers the Remote Holiday Hideaway. Pets Welcome

 
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Tarbert, Argyll, sleeps 4 this Beautiful Luxury Detached Cottage offers a breath-taking waters edge setting with Wood Stove and un-rivalled peace, tranquility and sheer natural beauty. This is a fantastic retreat for 4 people with one double en-suite bedroom and one Twin Bedroom with separate bathroom. The gardens stretch to the waters edge, your only neighbors will be local Grey Seals, Otters, Red Squirrel, Deer and Sea Birds. Pets Welcome
 
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Argyll, West Coast, The Lodge sleeps 6. Remote detached Seaside Holiday Cottage on Argyll’s West Coast. This spacious 3 Bedroom detached Holiday Cottage just a stones throw from a sandy beach and rolling west highland hills offers the Remote Holiday Hideaway. Pets Welcome
 

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Argyll, West Coast, sleeps 4. Remote Detached Hillside Cottage on Argyll’s West Coast, offering the Ultimate Remote Holiday Hideaway Cove Cottage is approx 1 mile from the Sea and sits within a large open garden in an elevated position with distant views of the Hills and Loch Coalisport. Perfect for Hill Walking and Wildlife Watching Holidays and families needing isolation. The West Coast of Argyll offers wonderful scenery with rocky outcrops, inlets, sandy beaches, islands and islets just crying out to be explored. Pets Welcome
 

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Argyll, West Coast, This single storey 3 Bedroom detached Holiday Cottage is perfect for families, facing towards the South-East. The Bungalow enjoys lovely views across the Loch. Directly in front is a large mown field leading directly to one of the two beaches which are the main feature of the area. Not far from the Ellary harbour, the Bungalow is also well suited for boating families, with direct access to the Farm Rock and all of the other walking areas starting from the Bungalow. Well Behaved Pets Welcome
 
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Cowal peninsula, Argyll and Bute Isle of Skye and the Western Isles Wester Ross and North Highlands The Beautiful Northern Coastlines
Borders loch Lomond, Trossachs Cairngorms, loch ness & Central

The Northern Highlands

Navidale, North East Coast, Sea View Cottage. Luxury former croft cottage in the Northern Highlands, Remote, Detached, with Conservatory, Outdoor Hot Tub (with supplement) Jacuzzi bathroom and Mini Sauna, Full Central Heating, Open fire and WiFi. With enclosed garden and easily accessible by car, or public transport even in the winter. Offering spectacular elevated Sea and Mountain its remote hideaway location making it ideal for Night sky watching and the Northern Lights. Centrally placed this cottage forms the perfect base for exploring all the Northern Highlands including the Black Isle, Loch Ness Caithness and an Orkney day trip. Sleeps 6, Pets Welcome
 
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Glen Urquhart, Drumnadrochit, Loch Ness, sleeps 2 and 4. Luxury 5 star Log Cabins with spectacular views across lush countryside in Glen Urquhart, Loch Ness and set in the heart of the spectacular Scottish Highlands, close to world famous Loch Ness and within easy reach of a whole host of attractions, activities and amenities. Pets Welcome
 
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Glen Urquhart, Drumnadrochit, Loch Ness, sleeps 2, 4, 6 and 10. Choice of Luxury 5 star detached cottages with Oak floors, Jacuzzi baths in the Loch Ness region, with fantastic views, relax in Luxury and enjoy the views, explore the Great Glen or take a boat trip on Loch Ness. Pets Welcome
 
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