Best Places To See Highland Cows In Scotland (Near Edinburgh)

I won’t lie, my main priority was to see highland cows in Scotland during my trip there.

So, to make my dream a reality, I did quite a bit of research and realized it might be harder than I thought. But turns out, if you know where to go it’s not that hard at all!

I ended up spotting them quite a few times, sometimes without even trying to! So I’m going to go over the best places to see highland cows in Scotland. Most of these are pretty close to Edinburgh too if that’s the only place you’re visiting in Scotland (check out these nearby castle ruins too!).

Let’s be real, everyone needs to witness the beauty of these beasts at least once in person!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

A Bit About Highland Cows

Highland cows, or “hairy coos” as locals like to call them, are born and bred in Scotland. They’re built to withstand the harsh Highland weather. So that beautiful hair we’re jealous of isn’t just for looks.

They actually have two layers of hair; a thick undercoat to keep them warm, and a top layer to keep them dry in the rain.

Are Highland Cows Only In Scotland?

Nowadays, you can find highland cows elsewhere in the world. They’ve started to export them to other countries with harsh weather. So you might be able to spot them in Ireland, or even some places in the United States. I’ve even seen them in Quebec Canada!

Where to See Highland Cows Near Edinburgh: Swanston Farms

If you’re in Edinburgh and aren’t planning on visiting the Highlands, don’t worry you’ll still be able to see authentic highland cows near Edinburgh.

Swanston farm has a small herd of highland cows in Scotland, and it’s accessible from Edinburgh by bus or car. It’s part of Pentland Hills, so it makes a nice half or full day trip from the city.

You can visit the coos, go for a hike, and in my opinion, get the best skyline view of Edinburgh.

How To Get To Swanston Farms By Bus: Highland Cows Edinburgh

There are three buses you can take that will drop you off about a 10-15 minute walk from the farm (the 4, 5, or 16 depending on where you’re coming from). The walk is very easy, through a suburb town. The entire, journey will be about 45 minutes to an hour. But it’s all worth it to see Highland cows near Edinburgh!

In case you don’t have change, you can buy your ticket on board with a contactless credit card.

The Hike To the Highland Cows Near Edinburgh

To get to the cows, it’s a short hike uphill. but it starts at the brewery parking lot. There’s a small forest with a path at the end of the lot. You’ll walk by a few houses, and then the golf course. When you see the fork in the road, you’ll want to choose the path on the left that goes up the hill.

If you’re unsure where to go, don’t be afraid to go into the brewery to ask for directions. Just tell them you’re interested in seeing the cows and they’ll direct you on the right path. It’s also a good spot to go for lunch after your mini hike. 

There are also two gates along the hike that you’ll have to open to continue along the path. 

Where to See Highland Cows in Scotland: The Trossachs National Park

Loch Lomond is part of the Trossachs National Park and it’s the start of the Highland region in Scotland. It’s a necessary addition to any trip to the Highlands, but it’s also doable on a day trip from Edinburgh (about a 2 hour drive).

Feed Highland Cows In Scotland In Kilmahog

On the route around Loch Lomond you’ll drive by the town of Kilmahog. Right off the main road, you’ll be able to see the highland cows in Scotland.

If you’re prepared, there’s a parking lot right next to the cows you can pull into. Each time I drove by, people were right up close to them and even feeding them!

Wild Sighting On A Hike Up Conic Hill (Near Loch Lomond)

If you’re up for a small hike in Scotland then this will be the most rewarding hairy coo spotting during your time in Scotland.

In Balmaha, Conic Hill is one of the easier peaks to reach, only about 45 minutes each way. But, when we were about halfway up, we turned the corner to find a giant highland cow standing in the middle of the path. We were able to walk right up to it (these are still animals, so try not to get too close to them).

The highland cow eventually started to move (very slowly) but he led us right to the rest of his herd! There were 10 other highland cows overlooking Loch Lomond below.

The downside is that because this isn’t a fenced-in area, the cows might not always be there. But regardless, I’d still recommend the hike because the views are nevertheless incredible.

Best Places To See Highland Cows In The Highlands

If you’re driving through the Highlands, you’ll be able to spot quite a few highland cows in the farms around you. But the problem is that it’s hard to stop at most of these.

Stopping To See The Ben Nevis Highland Cows

The only farm we were able to stop at (and get relatively close to) was a farm near Ben Nevis Brewery. We initially drove right by them but not too far up the road there was a roundabout (probably the only time I was happy to see one while driving in Scotland!).

We were able to park in the gas station across the street and go visit them (just be careful when crossing).

I’ll admit, seeing Highland cattle with Ben Nevis (Scotland’s biggest mountain) in the background isn’t a bad sight at all!

Need A Place To Stay In Edinburg? Hotel Recommendations

I stayed at an Airbnb for a month in Edinburgh just across from The Meadows. For shorter stays, I found these accommodations to stay at for every type of traveller.

Best Location & Price: Just down the street from the Royal Mile Motel One Edinburgh – Royal is a short walk to all the main attractions. See room rates & availability.

Modern & New Apartment: Stay in Edinburgh’s New Town at Golden Thistle Apartment to live like a local. It’s offers a beautifully renovated modern apartment with cafes and bars at your fingertips! See room rates & availability on Plum Guide.

Luxury: The Balmoral Hotel is Edinburgh’s finest hotel but nothing compares to it. J.K. even stayed here to finish writing the Harry Potter Series. Maybe you’ll get lucky and stay in the same suite! See room rates & availability.

See other accommodations on Booking.com in Edinburgh, or more apartments on Plum Guide.

My Scotland Travel Amazon Must-Haves!

Shop My Scotland Day Trip Amazon Must-Haves

My Scotland Guides To Read

• How to Spend a Day in North Berwick [From Edinburgh]
• How to Drive From Edinburgh to St. Andrews
• How To Drive Through The Scottish Borders in a Day [From Edinburgh]
• The Best Castles To Visit Near Edinburgh
• What I Wish I’d Known Before Driving in Scotland
• Top Edinburgh Attractions
• Edinburgh Hidden Gems
• Edinburgh Fun Facts
• Scotland Souvenirs To Bring Back
• Is Leith Worth Visiting?

Share the Hairy Coo Love!

Let me know if you’ve spotted highland cows anywhere else in Scotland near Edinburgh! And why not Pin it to let others know where to find them!?

Last update on 2024-05-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API