John Kirk reports black panther sighting near Grantown-on-Spey

2 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Apr 25

On 17 April, John Kirk and his wife saw a large, black, cat-like animal cross the road near Grantown-on-Spey, Scotland, prompting five or six additional local reports.
Kirk, a longtime Cairngorms farmer, believes the animal was a black panther, and shared his experience on social media, receiving widespread confirmation from others in the area.
Big cat sightings in Scotland have a long history, with over 1,800 reported since 1947, though authorities remain sceptical due to lack of verified evidence since 1980.

After 1,800 sightings, what will it finally take to prove big cats roam Scotland?

With sightings now common in Wales, is the big cat a UK-wide ecological reality?

Could phantom big cats threaten the survival of Scotland's last native wildcats?

Are sightings of Scotland's 'black panthers' simply cases of mistaken identity?

Do the four lynx captured in 2025 prove exotic cats are still being released?

Why do we remain fascinated by mysterious beasts in an age of constant surveillance?