A thatched roundhouse located in a glen just south of the Cairngorms has been found with a 10-inch wide hole in its roof. Toothmarks on the reed suggest animal activity, with the homeowner, Pam Aitchison, suspecting a pine marten.
A re-thatcher working on the property noted that while damage from squirrels, rats, and jackdaws is common, pine marten damage is less frequently encountered in their 14 years of experience. Aitchison had previously fed a pine marten peanut butter and jam sandwiches but stopped due to concerns about potential roof damage.
Pine martens are a regular presence in the glen, with one local, Bruce, having had a pair nesting in his garage roof for several summers. The new, tightly packed thatch being installed is hoped to be less appealing to mustelids than the older, softer reed.