Rutland has a range of fascinating and fantastic local traditions and legends, from the Oakham horseshoes to the history of Oakham's smallest man, Jeffery Hudson. None, however, are quite as contested as the story of the Rutland Panther.

The legend is so well-established, that The Grainstore Brewery and Taprooms, a local venue on Station Road, have named one of their popular brews after the beast itself.

Rutland Panther is a dark, mild ale with chocolatey, smokey undertones that won in its category at the 2005 Great British Beer Festival. It can still be enjoyed in The Grainstore and other local pubs today.

This is the only kind of Black Panther than most Rutland residents will have seen, however, there have been numerous sightings of the beast itself, with some dating back 35 years.

In more recent times, a local mum and hairdresser, Michelle, claimed to have spotted the Rutland Panther near her home in Empingham in 2021.

Now, a local man has sent proof of his sighting of the beast in to Oakham Nub News this week.

Rob Lambert said that this image was "taken at Rutland Water about 11.25 am. It was taken at an approx distance of 500/600 yards from me."

Image courtesy of Rob Lambert.

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Large black cat, or something more sinister? You decide...

Have you ever seen the Rutland Panther?

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