What is this? Furry, 4 legs, on the top of a munro, 2 of em

[shibuyaku]

Saw two furry four legged animal playing some 30 metres below the summit of a Munro last Thursday. Quite confused, since everything was covered by ice/snow and no obvious source of food available. They just kept chasing each other around in the sun. Sadly kept their distance from me.

Any idea what I met there? Sadly it was super bright and all I have is unzoomed long distance hip shots (could not see anything on my cameras screen against the sun).

Digital Zoom+Crop


Fresh Paw print I found when reaching the spot they ran past, this is 100% theirs.


Everything I have, including the unmodified original pictures:
https://imgur.com/a/Ldc0p

[jmarkb]

Foxes. It’s quite common to see their prints high on the hills in winter, but actual sightings are rare as they are not usually active in broad daylight. They will be feeding on voles and hares most likely.

[shibuyaku]

Oh how nice, thank you for the identification and background. I totally believe you, but would have never thought of it because they had such a low profile while running. I've probably never seen a fox running this fast before.

Saw a male Ptarmigan on the same mountain, a vole living under Peters rock, raven and a massive stag. Very lucky day, compared to my usual rate of encounters.

[CharlesT]

Foxes definitely. Incidentally Geal Charn (Monadhliath) was heavihg with voles when I climbed it recently.

[kenncunn]

Once saw a hill fox while climbing Beinn Bhuidhe. I happened to look up and saw it watching me from a rocky outcrop further up the slope. As i approached it ran off at a fair pace. Its the only time I've ever seen a fox while climbing the munros.

[Caberfeidh]

I once saw a stoat capering around the summit cairn on Derry Cairngorm. Frogs also appear to enjoy the mountaineering life; I have seen them high up on Carn nan Tuirc.