More than a decade after the first reported sighting of the “Beast of Balbirnie”, fresh claims have been made that a big cat is prowling through Fife.
An animal, believed to be three to four feet long, was seen by a dog walker in the Southfield area of Glenrothes.
The sighting of the mysterious animal already being dubbed the “Southfield Savage” by some has been reported to big cat groups and the police.
It follows years of speculation regarding the so-called Beast, which is said to have been spotted around Markinch for more than 10 years.
This is the first time a sighting has been reported in the south of Glenrothes.
PC Ian Laing, Fife Constabulary’s wildlife and environmental crime coordinator, said: “Sightings are not at all common. This is probably the first one that we’ve had in the past year they are extremely rare.
“I think it’s just a matter of getting lucky. Some people seem to see them a lot but I’m in the countryside all of the time and I’m yet to see one.”
Although the exact colour of the cat is yet to be determined, it is understood to be dark with a “very long tail”.
It has been spotted by the same person on two occasions, in fields near industrial units.
George Redpath, an executive council member of the Scottish Big Cat Trust, believes such creatures are rife throughout Fife.
“This year I’ve already had six sightings reported to me,” the former police wildlife liaison officer said. “They are all over the place.
“Last year I had 30 sightings reported to me throughout Fife. When I started researching big cats I was still in the police.
“I live in Balmullo and there have been sightings here to the point where I stopped my son from going running on his own.”
Asked if the Southfield area could be home to such a creature, Mr Redpath said it was possible.
“They need water and a covered area but I have been told that any reasonably sized wooded area can house a big cat,” he said. “They have a large territory but do need a place where they can shelter.”
Rumours of big cats in Fife have existed for years, ranging from Rathillet in the north to Saline in the south, as well as the Lomond Hills.
jowatson@thecourier.co.uk