Great Glen Wildcats
The Scotsman, Apr 22, 1925.
Wild Cats
Tighnadarroch, Pencaitland, April 22, 1925.
Sir, - In your issue of the 21st inst, Mr J. P. F. Bell asks whether it would be convenient for me to verify my statement made during a broadcasting talk to the effect that over 100 wild cats have been destroyed along the waterside between Fort William and Inverness during the past season. If it would be of any practical use it would not be a difficult matter to do this, though if exact data were required it would entail some work. Four keepers and two rabbit catchers I know have alone accounted for 31 cats between Drumnadrochit and Invermoriston, so that if we take all the keeper and rabbit trappers over this long line of country we should probably find a hundred cats a very conservative estimate.
My sympathies are entirely with Mr Bell in wanting to preserve our wild fauna, but I must say that since the wild cat is in no danger whatever of extermination, the keeping in check of the overflow from their deer forest strongholds into game country is a matter which offers two points of view. - I am, &c
H. Mortimer Batten.