21 Oct 2026 5 min read

Six of the best Highland Cow experiences: Meet Scotland's favourite animals

From Highland cow safaris to hands-on farm experiences, discover the spots across Scotland where you can get up close with these gorgeous creatures.

Take one look at a a Highland cow and it is easy to see why they are one of Scotland’s most beloved residents. But why admire them from afar when you can get up close and personal?

From the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders to a beautiful west coast croft, we've rounded up six unforgettable experiences where you can meet, feed and groom these gentle giants.

The Hebridean Baker's Croft Tours

Oban, Argyll and Bute

Highland cows with Coinneach Macleod (the Hebridean Baker) on his west coast croft near Oban. — Peter MacQueen and some of his and Coinneach's fantastic fold

For a Highland cow experience with a difference, head to the beautiful west coast croft of Coinneach MacLeod, better known as the Hebridean Baker, and his partner Peter.

Set among rolling hills overlooking the islands of Kerrera and Mull, this is a chance to experience a little slice of crofting life in spectacular surroundings.

Visitors can meet, feed and groom the couple's eight much-loved Highland cows before heading out on a guided hill walk, accompanied by their gorgeous Scottish deerhound Sùla.

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Commissioning editor Rachel recently met the friendly bunch of Highland cows at the croft

Along the way, Coinneach and Peter share stories of rural life, while the breathtaking coastal scenery offers plenty of photo opportunities.

For those who want to linger a little longer, there are also experiences that incorporate traditional Scottish food and baking.

With its combination of friendly animals, beautiful scenery and warm Hebridean hospitality, this is a wonderfully personal way to experience Scotland's countryside.

Find out more: Hebridean Baker's Croft Tours

Lindores

Newburgh, Fife

Nestled in the picturesque Fife countryside, Lindores lets visitors experience life on a working Scottish farm, with some rather adorable residents waiting to say hello.

The farm tours introduce visitors to the animals and everyday activities that make up rural life. Alongside the Highland cows, visitors can meet sheep and goats and learn more about the work involved in caring for livestock and maintaining a busy farm.

This experience goes beyond simply admiring the Highland cows and offers a glimpse into the farming traditions that remain an important part of Scotland's countryside.

Whether you're a family looking for an educational day out or a devoted animal lover, Lindores promises a memorable countryside escape.

The wooden interiors of The Hide at Lindores with a roaring open fire and grill in the centre — The Hide at Lindores is the perfect place for a unique, cosy dining experience

As a bonus, they also offer a unique dining option in their hilltop cabin, The Hide. Here you can round off your farm tour with a delicious meal, expertly cooked over an open fire while you cosy up in the rustic interiors or enjoy the incredible view of the Tay outside.

Find out more: Lindores Farm Tours

Kitchen Coos & Ewes

Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway

What could be better than meeting a herd of Highland cows? Meeting them before tucking into a delicious cream tea!

At Kitchen Coos & Ewes, near Stranraer, visitors can enjoy a variety of farmer-led experiences that bring you closer to Scotland's iconic cattle.

The popular Cream Tea Coo Tour takes guests out into the fields on a farm trailer, where you can admire the Highland cows in their natural surroundings and learn about the herd.

You will also meet the farm's hardy Beltex sheep and watch an impressive sheepdog demonstration before returning to the Auld Byre for a well-earned cream tea.

An afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones, shortbread and cakes on a table at Kitchen Coos and Ewes — Kitchen Coos and Ewes offers a delicious cream tea

For those keen to get even closer, the Hands-on Coo Tour includes an opportunity to groom younger cattle in a specially designed enclosure, or book a spot on their Wee Coos at Christmas Tour for a chance to meet their Highland cow calves.

Find out more: Kitchen Coos & Ewes Highland Coo Tours

Farm Ness

Inverness, Highlands

Just outside Inverness, Farm Ness offers a fun-filled and Highland cow-packed day out for the whole family.

Visitors can choose from several Highland cow experiences, including guided feeding sessions and a hands-on encounter where you can groom the friendly cattle and learn about their individual personalities.

There's plenty more to discover beyond the Highland coos, with alpacas, goats and pigs among the farm's other residents.

A fluffy Red Mangalitsa pig with a muddy nose gets up close to the camera at Farm Ness — Farm Ness is also home to a host of other adorable animals

Little adventurers will love the extensive outdoor play area, complete with pedal tractors, go-karts, sandpits, a straw pit and a giant inflatable bouncing pillow.

With animals to meet, plenty of space to play and refreshments available, Farm Ness is a brilliant destination for families exploring the Highlands.

Find out more: Farm Ness Highland Coo Experiences

Jacksons at Jedburgh

Jedburgh, Scottish Borders

SEO-friendly alt text: A shaggy ginger Highland cow with long curved horns rests beside her fluffy brown calf at Jacksons of Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders. — A mother and her adorable Highland cow calf at Jackson of Jedburgh

Set on a working family farm in the Scottish Borders, Jacksons at Jedburgh gives visitors a chance to meet its friendly fold of Highland cattle while discovering more about the animals and their care.

The guided Highland Cow Experience begins with a scenic tractor and trailer ride through the fields before visitors meet the cows, with opportunities to feed, brush and photograph them.

Alternatively, the self-guided Highland Way walking route lets visitors admire the cattle from specially designed viewing areas while exploring the farm's other residents, including sheep, goats, pigs and chickens.

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Top tip: If you're planning a Scottish gallivant next spring, Jacksons also offers lamb handling experiences when you can cuddle their adorable new-born flock!

A laughing woman cuddles two young lambs, one white and one grey at Jacksons at Jedburgh — Jacksons at Jedburgh also offers a lamb experience

With beautiful Borders scenery and plenty of photo opportunities, it's a fantastic experience for animal lovers of all ages.

Find out more: Jacksons at Jedburgh Highland Coo Experiences

Kilmacolm Farm Tours

Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire

A shaggy ginger Highland cow with long horns and its tongue sticking out at Kilmacolm Farm — A cheeky Highland Cow on Kilmacolm Farm

Just west of Glasgow in the peaceful Renfrewshire countryside, Kilmacolm Farm Tours offer a Highland cow encounter with a side of spectacular scenery.

Climb aboard a specially designed, all-weather farm trailer and set off on a two-hour safari through the fields of this working farm, meeting its livestock and learning about the realities of rural life along the way.

Highland cows are among the stars of the experience, with plenty of opportunities to admire these magnificent animals while also learning about the machinery and equipment used on the farm.

Visitors enjoying a Kilmacolm Farm Tours safari in Renfrewshire, travelling through a shallow stream in an all-terrain vehicle with a covered passenger trailer — Kilmacolm's custom farm trailer handles off-roading with ease

On clear days, the views stretch from the Renfrewshire Heights towards Ben Lomond and Glasgow. Keep your eyes peeled for the plethora of local wildlife too.

Find out more: Kilmacolm Farm Tours