Edinburgh's Own Highland Cows
- Mountain Marcus
- Jan 15
- 2 min read
You don't have to go far to find Highland Cows in Edinburgh
Mountain Marcus is here to show you a herd of friendly Highland Cows on the edge of the city of Edinburgh. We'll hike up to a spectacular mountain viewpoint where we can see out over Edinburgh to the sea. As we climb the hill we start to see Arthur's Seat - the highest point within the city - then Edinburgh Castle reveals itself, along with the Royal Mile and the spires of the city's churches. On a clear day we can see north to some of Scotland's highest mountains.
From here we start to look for the cows. They have a large area in which they can roam free, so they're as close to being in their natural environment as possible.
Sometimes the cows manage to go all the way to the top of the hill, especially if it's a hot day. Other times they might be hiding in a far corner of their field, or finding water to drink from one of several streams.
The cows are kept here for conservation reasons. They are out on the hill 24/7, 365 days a year.
You'll notice a variety of colours, shapes, and sizes within the herd. Some are a pale blonde, others are a deeper red colour, and there is an impressive array of horns on display.
Other fields in the area are used for grazing horses. The University of Edinburgh keeps some Exmoor Ponies nearby, and other private individuals keep their own horses.
I'd love it if you could join me on one of my Highland Cow Hikes:
