Finding Highland Cows: A Scottish Road Trip and Photography Adventure
As a total Highland cow fanatic and a professional photographer, I recently went on a two-week adventure across Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, and Norway. My main goal in Scotland was to find and snap some adorable Highland cows. Here’s the lowdown on my trip, packed with tips for fellow cow lovers and some highlights from our European escapade.
I have always thought it would be easy finding these cute highland cows while traveling in Scotland. However, while traveling in Ireland, I met some fellow Americans who had also tried to find Highland cows in Scotland on their vacation. Despite their best efforts, they didn’t manage to see ANY. Their story made me worry that I would leave Scotland never having seen one highland cow and that was just unacceptable in my eyes.
After leaving Ireland, we landed in Edinburgh, Scotland. We stopped to eat lunch on the Royal Mile. While eating, I asked our waitress for tips to find the cows. I figured she would laugh at me as some crazy, cow loving tourist but she was super sweet and went out of her way to help us locate them. Her advice was to travel north through Callander and hopefully find a spot along the way to see some cows. So we rented a car and traveled north.
Before heading to Callander, we stayed overnight in a lovely town near Edinburgh. We were eager to find those elusive cows, so we asked the locals for advice. They were amazing and suggested a hike into some nearby wooded areas where cows might be grazing. We took their advice and went on a long trek through the woods, but unfortunately, we didn’t spot any cows. It was a bit of a letdown, but the locals’ effort and their kindness made the experience memorable.
Following the waitress's tip, my first real success was at Blair Drummond Smiddy Farm Shop in Stirling (Stirling FK9 4UY). The shop was easy to find, but locating the Highland cows took a bit of effort. The shop is off the main road and easy to find, but the cows aren’t right out in the open. We actually stumbled upon them as we were leaving Smiddy's by chance. Finding two Highland cows peacefully grazing was like discovering a hidden gem. It was like a dream come true!!! I was the only one there and I was able to get some great photos of the two cows they had. I left there smiling ear to ear!
Next up was Trossachs Woollen Mill in Callander. This place also needed some insider info. It’s a popular spot with tourists and has three Highland cows that you can feed with potatoes and carrots available for purchase. While it was awesome to get close to the cows, the mill was pretty crowded, making it a bit tricky to get the perfect shots. The property also has a store where you can find any and everything highland cow related. I ended up buying a 2025 Highland Cow calendar there since we had trouble finding one in the states. The owner was super sweet and taught us more about their cows and their individual temperaments and personalities. Apparently, the female, Honey, is the boss over the other two males. I saw that first hand when I tried feeding a one of the males. She took her horn and nudged him out of the way so she can eat more. It was a fun spot but after another tour bus showed up, I was ready to leave because it became too crowded.
The last stop on my cow-chasing adventure was Quila Cridhe on Drumbruie Farm, located at Lochness, Drumnadrochit, IV63 6XP. I found this adorable spot almost by accident, and it turned out to be the best part of my trip. The farm is easy to find if you’re paying attention, though it did take a bit of research to track down. They have a big sign at their driveway so it was easy to find once we got close. The parking area was small but we were able to find a spot and made our way inside. At Quila Cridhe, you can enjoy tea while hanging out with Highland cows or you can choose to forgo the tea and just pet and feed them. I chose to go without tea and just spend time loving on the cows. The owner did tell us that she had two females who were to ready to give birth any day and may be more agitated. With several cows around, and even with a few tourists there, I still had tons of chances for close-up shots with their sweet coos. Drumbruie Farm was the perfect way to wrap up my trip and get some truly memorable photos and videos with the highland cows!
Tracking down Highland cows in Scotland can be a bit of a quest, but it’s so worth it! Each stop on my trip—from the surprise find at Blair Drummond Smiddy Farm Shop to the busy Trossachs Woollen Mill, and finally the charming Quila Cridhe on Drumbruie Farm—was special in its own way. If you’re on a similar cow-chasing adventure, do your homework, ask for local tips (like the gem from the Edinburgh local!), and enjoy the ride. Even seasoned travelers can run into challenges without the right info, so be prepared and have fun capturing Scotland’s adorable Highland cows. And definitely take the time to enjoy Scotland’s culture and food—it’s a part of the adventure you won’t want to miss!
