Highland Coos | Scotland's Most Adorable Attraction
When you think of Scotland do you think of castles and bagpipes and tartan? How about Highland Cows? They are becoming an increasingly popular tourism draw here. Tour groups stop to see herds of the along the way. Tourists look for them. And I’d have to say they are as popular an image for souvenirs as bagpipes, thistles and castles ever have been! Here they are called the Highland Coos. And there are Highland Coo T-shirts, bibs, sox, glasses and post cards.
One of the Highland Coos you can have tea with.
Well, tourism always wins out, eventually. And a number of farms now offer lunch or tea with their Highland Coos. You can book lunch…or tea at a handful of farms in the Scottish highlands. And either before you eat or after you can pet them, feed them, admire them up close and personal. They all have personalities. And those who care for them are happy to answer your questions and tell you their stories of the long-haired coos.
Now their main role is agricultural as their double layered coats make their meat naturally lean, and higher in protein than other varieties. But it seems their role in Scotland may be changing. You see, they are a slow-growing breed and ranchers are cross-breeding them with faster growing breeds. So purebreds are considered more a niche specialty than a mainstay.
They are sooo cute! I’d have to say they are Scotland’s most adorable attraction these days. And that’s saying a lot from someone who’s been to the bagpipe museum in Glasgow…twice. hahaha.
Just keep in mind that the Highland Coos are not in Edinburgh, or in Glasgow. They are in the Scottish Highlands near towns like Inverness. And tea with the highland coos is well worth it, but book early, it’s a very popular entry on most tourists lists.
You can hear all about the Highland Coos, from those who car for them, and hear the cows themselves, in this episode of Erin’s Isle.