A baby pine marten has developed a taste for steak after being rescued by the owners of an award-winning restaurant.
Customers spotted the kit, which has been named Ash, under a tree near Applecross Walled Garden in Wester Ross.
Restaurant owners Elaine and Jon Glover took Ash in and, after consulting with the Scottish SPCA, cared for her until she could survive on her own.
Ash returned to the wild but still visits.
The cheeky mustelid likes raw steak and tried to sneak through the restaurant’s window to grab a bite of duck as Elaine, 45, tucked into a meal.
Ash was first seen in June under a sycamore tree near the walled garden and she looked a bit dishevelled.
Elaine said: “At first we fed her kitten food. She loved that and would growl for it. But she grew out of that after a wee while.
“She likes raw meat although, to be honest, she likes anything. She does like steak. But she’s grown up in a restaurant so she doesn’t do bad food.
“We don’t give her too much food – she’s got the winter to survive and she needs to learn to fend for herself properly. It’s been an absolute privilege and a lovely experience.”
