Truth Proof Report 295 ~ Feline in the undergrowth

2025 West Lothian, Scotland

Hi Paul,

Just after watching your fascinating episode on the sighting of the big cat, it’s given me the push to mention by own experience that took place in mid September last year.

I’d gone to visit my parents, who live in Addiewell, West Lothian, Scotland, and had gone for a run. I was running through woods in reclaimed land that had originally been a slag heap (or, as we call it, a ‘bing’) for Loganlea No. 1 Pit.

It was c.09.45 hrs, clear and sunny. I had slowed down my pace on an ascent, and was preparing to pick up my pace as the path levelled off and bore to the left, when something broke cover from the undergrowth from the right hand side of the path about 20 yards in front of me.

At first I thought fox, but whatever, it was too big. My next thought was that maybe someone on the path ahead had let their big dog off the lead, as the creature was the size of a good sized Labrador. But I immediately realised that it was feline rather than canine in terms of body shape, ears, movement, and position/length of tail. The colouration was dark grey/black.

It stood in the middle of the path and looked towards me for maybe 5 seconds before disappearing into the undergrowth on the other side of the path. After a moment I continued on my run (I didn’t feel a sense of threat) and when I passed where the creature had been I turned to look into the trees but saw nothing (the weather had been very try so there no tracks on the path either).

In terms of what it was, I’ve no idea: there have been stories down the years of a big cat in the area (the so-called ‘Beast of Breich’, with the occasional sighting and livestock losses etc.), but I’m not claiming what I saw was a puma or anything like that (at least not an adult). I’ve tended to be pretty sceptical about such things, and I'm aware of the risk of misidentification, but I’m really puzzled by what I saw and have been at a bit of a loss to explain what it was. Anyway, thanks for the opportunity to share this encounter.

All the best,

J-J

Paul: Yet another one to scratch our heads about. Thanks for the concise and clear report.