Wildcats have thick, dense winter coats to support them through challenging weather. Their outer layer of fur acts as a "raincoat", with a finer layer of "fleece" underneath 🧥 In cold weather, they can curl up and tuck their faces under their bushy tails to keep warm 😻 📸 Alan Sabatino

Wildcats and the sport of shinty are both culturally important in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 And the Highland town of Newtonmore has a strong connection to both of them. So, we are very proud to be sponsoring the match balls for the Newtonmore Camanachd Club's under 17s final this Saturday 🏑

We want to say a huge THANK YOU to our local community for attending the premiere of 'Clinging by a Claw' in Aviemore last night 📽 As the feature-length film highlights, this approach to wildcat restoration in the Cairngorms National Park is only made possible by your incredible support 🎉

Is she a wildcat or a kangaroo? 🦘 Wildcat mothers nurse their young for around eight weeks, and the kittens may start to show interest in solid food as young as four weeks old. That said, these little ones seem in no rush to move away from their mother's milk 🍼

Like most cat species, wildcats are excellent climbers 🪵 Unsurprisingly (given her name), Skye spends much of her time off the ground in the conservation breeding for release centre ⛅️ Sponsor Skye to receive exclusive, behind-the-scenes updates ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/sponsor

How is it nearly October?! This year has been so busy that it's disappearing as quickly as the leaves are falling off the trees 🍂 Make sure you don’t miss a thing. Sign up to our e-newsletter, issued every two months ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/join-us 📸 David Stothard

You’ve been so patient… 😻 And now, we’re super excited to announce that there are kittens in the conservation breeding for release centre, based at @highlandwpark.bsky.social ‼️ Find out how they’re doing ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/caught-on-camera 🧡

Delayed release enclosures are more than a useful tool for wildcat releases 🌄 The new neighbours have been enjoying the temporary constructions as climbing frames! Once the releases have ended, the structures can be removed (and the pine martens can go back to climbing trees) 🧡

Wildcats are notoriously hard to spot in the wild 👀 They are rare, naturally elusive, and typically most active at dusk and dawn 💤 With the added bonus of some rather effective camouflage, even the team in the conservation breeding centre find locating them tricky!

Oh, this is just too much – we can't cope 😻 Say ‘hello’ to @highlandwpark.bsky.social's newest addition, Tay 🧡 Born to Fian and Rannoch, this curious wee kitten is part of the UK conservation breeding programme for wildcats, and is supporting the recovery of the species in the wild.

In 2023, a male wildcat (Willie) was released in the Cairngorms National Park 🐾 After an intense journey of over 30km, Willie settled on Invercauld Estate on the outskirts of Ballater. Since then, we've been working together with Invercauld Estate to monitor his adventures 🌄

You may have to fight for your chance to see 'Clinging by a Claw' this year ⌛️ Inverness and Edinburgh screenings have SOLD OUT ‼️ The exciting feature-length documentary premieres in Aviemore, on 30 September at MacDonald's Spey Valley cinema 📽️ Book your FREE Aviemore tickets ⬇️

When the kids go quiet... 👀 Just like this wildcat mum, the field team are working hard to monitor this years' wild-born kittens. To date, we've confirmed fourteen litters to released females in the Cairngorms National Park since releases began in 2023 🧡

“Cat-fiadhaich” is the Scottish Gaelic term for wildcat 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 “Fiadhaich” translates to “wild” or “savage”- which sums up this species pretty well 😾

Helena, our outreach and engagement manager, recently attended the 159th Scottish Highland Gathering & Games in Pleasanton, California 🇺🇸 She joined project supporters Saving Scottish Wildcats, that volunteer their time to raise funds for wildcat conservation from the USA 🤝

When you get caught midnight snacking 👀 Ongoing monitoring has revealed the wildcats have been predominantly hunting small mammals. A smaller portion of their diet has included birds, amphibians, and invertebrates. They also been feeding on carrion, including roe deer 🦌

Queen Margaret 👑 Thank YOU for voting for this fierce feline and devoted mama - she's won 'Animal of the Month' at @highlandwpark.bsky.social 🎉 Follow Margaret's journey through motherhood and support her family as they help save their species in the wild ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/sponsor 🐾

Saving Wildcats attended the Grantown Show a few weeks ago to show support for farmers and speak with the local community 🤝 It was fantastic to be joined by project partners @naturescot.bsky.social and @catsprotection.bsky.social who continually support efforts to restore Scotland's wildcats 🐾

It takes a village 🤝 Led by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), this partnership project is further supported by many contributing organisations, the UK's conservation breeding programme, and generous donors and sponsors. Together, we're restoring this majestic species to Scotland 🏴

Cat got your tongue? 👂 This released female may not have the voice, but we still think she has the X factor! What a beauty 🧡

What a difference a year makes 📆 Need a recap? We've got you. ☕️ Grab a cuppa and enjoy the project highlights we've pulled together since last summer ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/WrapUp2025

It's autumnal in the Highlands this morning 🍂 And that means the feature-length film ‘Clinging by a Claw’ premieres are just around the corner 🎉 Inverness has SOLD OUT‼️ Book your tickets for Edinburgh or Aviemore NOW to avoid disappointment ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/ClingingbyaClawPremieres 📽️

Counting kittens 🐾 Wildcats typically have between two-four kittens once per year. That said, it's not unusual for females to have larger litters, breed twice in a season, or even raise a single kit 🧡

Up close and purrsonal 👀 Lakeland Wildlife Oasis' keeper, Chloe, ran a marathon to save Scotland’s wildcats 🏃‍♀️ Wildcats in zoos and wildlife parks are also saving their species by contributing to this breeding for release programme, and nurturing personal connections between wildcats and people.

Guess the kittens' out the bag (or den) 😻 Visitor David Stothard sent us his beautiful image of a wildcat kitten born to one of the released females. Public sightings crucially support the monitoring of the Cairngorms National Park's growing population ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/haveyouseenawildcat 👀

🎙️ Saving Scotland's Wildcats: A Conservation Comeback Don't miss the @community-cats.bsky.social podcast with field officer, Lara Semple 🐈 Lara shares how the team are managing the threats to Scotland's wildcats to "preserve their legacy" ➡️ communitycatspodcast.com/episode-624-lara-semple 🎧

Feline fine wearing a GPS-radio collar 😻 The GPS-radio collars are fitted comfortably yet snugly by an experienced vet prior to the wildcats’ release. They are crucial for post-release monitoring, which is beneficial for welfare, and furthers our understanding of wildcat ecology 🌄

Together, we’re Saving Wildcats 🧡 This project would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of volunteers 🎉 From tracking the released animals, to diet preparation, assisting at events, or refurbishing enclosures - we're so grateful for their commitment 🙏

Dedicated to protecting and restoring wild areas (and wildcats) 🌿 The European Nature Trust has championed wildcat restoration efforts since this project began, and more recently, generously supported the production of 'Clinging by a Claw' 📽️ Tickets ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/ClingingbyaClawPremiere

"Get outta here!" 💥💨 Any guesses what this wildcat was chasing off? Wildcats play an important role in Scotland's ecosystem. Not only as our only native carnivore, but they also compete with other meso-predators for resources. This helps balance species populations ⚖️

Championing wildcats 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 We're seeking parliamentary support to save wildcats in Scotland, from attending events like @naturechampions.bsky.social's Parliamentary reception, to hosting MSPs at @highlandwpark.bsky.social. Our policy brief ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/media/fl1fhv3w/policy-brief_3.pdf 💼

Working with wildcats 🥾 Despite instances of gamebird disturbance by wildcats, we're very grateful for the cooperation of many gamekeepers, who support with land access and monitoring 📷 This year, @naturescot.bsky.social produced crucial guidance for land managers ➡️ bit.ly/GamebirdGuidance

Could you be the newest member of the team? We're looking for a volunteer vet nurse to help save Scotland's wildcats this autumn 🐾 With accommodation provided and expenses paid, find out more about how you can apply for this experience ➡ bit.ly/volvetnurse25

Get better acquainted with a wildcat 👀 Sponsor inquisitive Margaret, Oscar or Skye, and get exclusive updates on them and their families. All three wildcats have raised kits that are now roaming wild in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Be part of their journey ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/sponsor 🧡 #ScottishWildcatDay

Since 2023, over 35 #wildcats have been released into @cairngormsnews.bsky.social through @saveourwildcats.bsky.social - and are now breeding in the wild! Seven litters were born in 2024, and at least five have already been confirmed this year. 🐱 Read more 🔗 bit.ly/459sY8B 📷 Saving Wildcats

Three years in the making ⏳ No one was better placed to produce ‘Clinging by a Claw' than Mat Larkin, Head of Filmmaking for SCOTLAND: The Big Picture 🌿 Following an intense schedule across Scotland and Spain, Mat’s skills and patience brought this heartwarming, uplifting story to life 📽️

Where wildcats roam 🌲 Historically, wildcats have been associated with remote habitats, following centuries of being driven there by persecution. Given the chance, they prefer a mosaic of habitats, rich in small mammals, which can include farmland and areas inhabited by people 🐾

Ride on the wild side 🚵‍♀️ For biking enthusiasts, the Wildcat cycling route takes you on an incredible journey around the Scottish Highlands 🌲 Enjoy breathtaking scenery, including the Cairngorms National Park, where wildcats are roaming once again ➡️ bikepacking.com/routes/the-wildcat

Mum's the word 😻 It's the second year of released wildcat females giving birth in the wild. Arwen, Callie, Mareel, Sully and Tattie are all raising bundles of joy this summer. Other females are being closely monitored, as their behaviour indicates they may have kittens too 🐾

How do you train a wildcat? Saturday 2 August - David Field, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's CEO, is presenting at Pitlochry Film Theatre 🎭 David will be uncovering the techniques used to prepare captive-bred wildcats for life in the wild 🌄 Book your ticket ➡️ bit.ly/PitlochryWildcats

The Highland Tiger 🐯 When assessing a potential wildcat, experts look for: 🔸 Unbroken tiger stripes 🔸 A thick, blunt tail, with distinct black rings 🔸 A dorsal line that stops at the base of the tail Find out about the other key characteristics ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/haveyouseenawildcat

Wildcats are crepuscular, meaning they are typically active at dawn and dusk. Like most cats, they like to spend a lot of their time asleep 🌙 However, throughout the summer, adults may be more active during the day as well. This is often to support a hungry litter of kittens 🐾

Wildcat kittens are being born in the Cairngorms National Park 😻 This incredible milestone would not have been reached without the ongoing support of our wildcat sponsors, project donors and fundraisers. Thank YOU for saving wildcats in Scotland ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/support 🙏

Got your ticket yet? 🎟️ With filming made possible by The European Nature Trust, 'Clinging by a Claw' follows the wildcat’s journey into the Highlands 📽️ Enjoy hidden moments behind the scenes of the UK's first wildcat restoration project ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/clingingbyaclawpremiere

Wildcats are being released into the wild and sometimes it’s hard to keep up with them 💨 Thankfully, the field team are monitoring them using GPS-radio collars and an extensive network of trail cameras 📸 Keep up to date with how they’re getting on➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/join-us 🧡

Early bird catches the worm 🪱 At 3:15am, 16-year-old Owen recently visited Rothiemurchus' wildlife hide. As dawn broke, he managed to capture these truly beautiful images of female wildcat "Sully"🌄 If you see a wildcat, please visit ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/haveyouseenawildcat 📸 Owen Inglis

Skye’s summer ready ☀️ She's enjoying the warm weather in the conservation breeding for release centre by catching the breeze on high perches, or seeking out sunspots for afternoon naps 💤 Sponsor Skye and receive exclusive updates from her keepers ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/sponsor

Works of Heart 🧡 HUGE THANKS to all the children that sent in their pawsitively fantastic creations as part of the wildcat art contest 🎨 The judges had a very difficult task choosing winners, but these are some of the beautiful pieces that will soon be on display at @highlandwpark.bsky.social 🎉

‼️Feature-length documentary ‘Clinging by a Claw’ is being brought to you THIS AUTUMN by Saving Wildcats and SCOTLAND: The Big Picture 🎬 Outlander star, Sam Heughan, narrates the captivating story of the wildcat's return to Scotland 🏔️ BOOK YOUR TICKETS ➡️savingwildcats.org.uk/ClingingbyaClawPremiere

We've been keeping a not-so-wee secret 🙀 Feature-length documentary ‘Clinging by a Claw’ is coming to Scotland's silver screens 🎥 Saving Wildcats and SCOTLAND: The Big Picture bring you the story of the wildcat's journey back to the wild. BOOK NOW ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/ClingingbyaClawPremiere