In reply to Andy Moles:
Back in the day (80s) when I was more or less resident at White Dykes outside Kyle, a pine marten was a regular there. He was quick. Leaving food out was not a good plan.
Along the coast at Reraig, the woods are up above on the hill but down by the shore the Higgs had rat problems in their MoD-owned house. One night the rat noise was very excessive and then all went quiet. A pine marten was seen sitting on top of the post of the front gate (right beside the trunk road) at about ten in the morning licking blood off its paws. The rats were never seen or heard of again.
If you are a human, they appear very shy but if you are a rat, apparently not.