The article, by columnist John MacLeod, discusses the Scottish wildcat — nicknamed the "Highland Tiger" — a native species that has come perilously close to extinction in Britain. Once widespread across the country, the animal has been pushed to the brink by habitat loss, persecution and, most significantly, interbreeding with domestic and feral cats, which has diluted the genetic purity of the wild population. Despite this, small numbers are reported to persist in remote pockets of the Scottish Highlands, making the species a potent symbol of resilience against the odds.

The piece reflects on the wildcat's precarious status, noting conservationists' long-running efforts to protect and breed genetically pure animals, including captive breeding and reintroduction programmes aimed at bolstering wild numbers. It frames the creature as an elusive, largely unseen presence that continues to cling on in Scotland's wilder landscapes despite decades of decline, underscoring the fragility of Britain's native wildlife and the ongoing challenge of safeguarding it for the future.