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THE SCOTTISH WILDCAT EXPERIENCE
Unique to Britain, and now only found in Scotland, the Scottish Wildcat
has survived human persecution for five hundred more years than the
British
wolf and over a thousand more years than the British lynx or bear. And
although wildcats look similar to domestic cats; they're Britain's only
remaining large wild predator
and have walked this land for millions of years before mankind arrived
or domestic cats appeared.
Sadly, the scottish wildcat is now a critically endangered species with possibly less than 400
individuals remaining in the wild, and barely a handful in the captive
breeding population.
Supporters of the Scottish Wildcat have carried out a wide range of campaigns and projects
designed to rebuild and conserve the wildcat population across the
Scottish Highlands as well as raising general
public education and awareness.
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In the Cairngorms National Park, a Wildcat Trail has been established,
consisting of a 10km orbital route around the village of
Newtonmore. The Scottish Wildcat Centre, which is based on the main
village street, was also set up to provide an information centre. It was
from here, that the idea of a Wildcat Experience originated; a
community arts project which would provide an attraction, and heighten
awareness of the animal.
We were approached by the Wildcat Centre to supply a life size
replica model of a Scottish Wildcat. In consultation with recognised
wildcat experts, an initial form was sculpted. After gathering all the
information including photographs and video footage; a form was produced
which bore all the hallmarks of a typical wildcat - from dimensions to
stance. On the advice of these experts, the form was then tweeked to
finally provide a finished wildcat model which resembled the real thing
as closely as possible.
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A mould was subsequently made, from which one hundred lifesize wildcat models;
finished in white primer; were produced. These were delivered to the
Wildcat Centre, who distributed the fibreglass replicas to various local
artists. The models were hand painted in different themes
and guises; ready for display along the "Wildcat Experience".
Designed as a fun outdoor activity for famillies; in June 2010, the scores of lifesize
"accurate" fibreglass models of the Scottish Wildcat were sited all
around Newtonmore, including the Wildcat Trail. They are all decorated
differently; with the object of visitors being able to see how many can be found as they enjoy their ramble around the Spey Valley...!
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The more wildcat models found - the bigger the prize !
Finding as many as possible adds a fun dimension, while
encouraging learning about Scotland’s wildlife heritage and
conservation.
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The Wildcat Trail has been hailed as a huge success; earning rave reviews from happy participants :
" Native wild cats are rarer than hen’s teeth in the Highlands of
Scotland, but they have their haunts near the village of Newtonmore, in
the Spey valley between the Cairngorm and Monadhliath Mountains. This is
prime hiking country. The gardens and shop windows of Newtonmore are
full of brightly coloured ceramic cats, and the village’s excellent
walking advice office is known as the Wildcat Centre. Scarcely
surprising, then, that the superb waymarked walking circuit that skirts
Newtonmore has been styled ‘The Wildcat Trail’."
Christopher Somerville (Travel Writer), The Times, 29th January 2011
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An additional 20 new Wildcat models have been ordered to supplement the ones already on display.Thereby satisfying the demand & creativity of the local artists (!) , and freshening up the Wildcat Trail for the coming season...
The Wildcat Experience is now attracting various media interest; featuring in BBC Alba, and more recently on Radio Scotland`s Out of Doors programme in April 2011.
Click here for the Out of Doors feature : www.bbc.co.uk/i/b010g973/
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