Highland cows are one of the animals most closely associated with Scotland, and they can be found in many parts of the country, from city parks and country estates to working farms. While many visitors assume they need to head into the Highlands to see them, that is not actually the case.
With their long horns and thick coats, the iconic shaggy cows are hard to miss and are a favourite with visitors of all ages. There are plenty of places to see them without having to travel too far from the central belt, from Glasgow and Falkirk to Perthshire, the Scottish Borders and Argyll.
Some locations are ideal for simply spotting the cows while enjoying a walk, while others offer the chance to get much closer and learn more about the creatures.
Pollok Country Park
If you're in Glasgow and want to see Highland cows, Pollok Country Park is one of the easiest places to do it. Located in the south of the city, the park is the biggest in Glasgow, covering 361 acres of land.
The park is home to the Pollok Fold, a herd of around 50 Highland cows which graze across the fields throughout the year. Highland cattle were first brought to the estate more than 180 years ago by the Maxwell family, who owned Pollok Estate and lived at Pollok House.
There's also an interesting tradition when it comes to naming the calves in Pollok Park. Female calves are named after their mothers to help maintain the bloodlines, while male calves are given a Gaelic name beginning with the first letter of their mother's name.
Muiravonside Country Park
For another chance to see Highland cows outside the Highlands, head to Muiravonside Country Park near Falkirk. Covering 170 acres, it's Falkirk's only country park and has plenty to see and do.
Muiravonside Country Park is home to five resident Highland cows, named Kyla, Haggis, Beth, Mona and Caity, and you can get up close and personal with the cows. The park is also home to a lot of woodland and parkland, including a small demonstration farm, sculpture trial and children's play area, making it perfect for a family day out.
Glamis Castle
Highland cows don't get a more dramatic setting than seeing them roaming the grounds of Glamis Castle. Around a 20-minute drive north of Dundee, the castle is one of Scotland's well known historic buildings as it is famously associated with Shakespeare's Macbeth.
As well as exploring the castle and its grounds, visitors can spot Highland cows around the estate. It's a good option if you want to combine seeing the animals with a day exploring one of Scotland's historic landmarks.
Drumad Estate and Cladich Fold
Near Bankfoot in Perthshire, Drumad Estate offers something a little different. Rather than hoping to spot Highland cows while out for a walk, visitors can take part in a Highland Cow Experience and meet the animals up close. It's a chance to spend time with the fold and see the cattle up close and personal.
Tucked away near Loch Awe in Argyll, Cladich Fold is home to a historic herd of Highland cattle with roots stretching back to the 1800s. Visitors can meet the cows as part of a guided farm tour, which takes in the surrounding farmland and wooded hills. There's also the chance to brush the cows' coats, making this one of the more hands-on experiences on the list.
The setting is a big part of the appeal too, with the herd surrounded by the scenery of Argyll and Loch Awe. It's a great option for anyone wanting to combine meeting Highland cattle with a taste of rural Scottish life.
