The Experience If you're staying in Edinburgh, the best Highland Cow experience is a Highland Cow Hike with Mountain Marcus. This tour visits Swanston, which easily accessible from Edinburgh city centre. We visit the hairy Highland Cows in their natural environment, without having to travel all the way up to the Scottish Highlands. Situated on a beautiful hillside overlooking Edinburgh, this herd of Highland Cows roams free, allowing us great photo opportunities with impressive landscapes and views over Edinburgh, including Edinburgh Castle. The Cows Many people come to Swanston to see the Highland Cows, but most of them miss out on seeing the free-roaming herd on the hillside behind the farm. They don't realise that there is more to see than just the three cows in a small field by the farm. But if they had joined one of Mountain Marcus's Highland Cow Hikes, they would have been able to see both the cows on the hillside, and the cows at the farm. Seeing these magnificent cows in their natural environment is the highlight of many people's visit to Edinburgh. Swanston Farm doesn't offer public guided tours or hikes to see their cows, so this tour offers the best way to see these cows with a guide. The Guide Marcus is an experienced guide who has led thousands of tourists on hikes in and around Edinburgh. He shows you the best way up the hill, and leads you to the herd of Highland Cows. The cows roam free in a large open area, with lots of trees, bushes, and terrain features to hide them. Marcus has a tried-and-tested method of finding the cows, with many visitors commenting that they wouldn't have found them without him. There are plenty of interesting things to see on the hill as well as the cows. Your guide will show you the plants, animals, and human history as you go: from foraging wild berries, to watching Kestrels hunt, to visiting a 3,000-year-old burial cairn. How to Book You can book this tour directly on MountainMarcus.com or on Viator, TripAdvisor, AirBnB, or GetYourGuide

Visit Highland Cows in their natural environment just outside Edinburgh city centre. The Highland Cow's at Swanston used to be Edinburgh's best kept secret, but recently they have proved very popular with both tourists and locals. Plenty of people arrive by bus and taxi to see them every day. But what most visitors don't realise is that if they only see the three cows kept at the farm, they're missing out on the best part of the experience. If you join a guided Highland Cow Hike with Mountain Marcus, you'll experience far more than just looking at a few cows in a field: you'll venture up onto the hills above Swanston and see the rest of the herd of Highland Cows in their natural environment. Many people miss this part of the experience because they either don't know that there are more cows to see, or they can't find them on the hillside. This is when it pays to join one of my guided Highland Cow Hikes: we make sure to find the cows high up on the hill, where we see them grazing, with good opportunities for photos of of the cows. Hiking up the hill allows us to survey the large area from above, so we can easily find the cows. Visitors who miss out this crucial step often find it difficult to find the cows on the hillside, because there are many small hills and dips where the cows like to shelter from the wind or bask in the sun. People who join my hikes often remark that they would have struggled to find the cows without a guide, and that the hike up the hill is totally worth it for the views.

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. Arthur's Seat emerging from the cloud 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. A very hairy cow 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. Highland cows with views over Edinburgh 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. Horses enjoying their view of Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, and the sea I'd love it if you could join me on one of my Highland Cow Hikes:

Guided tours to see Highland Cows in Edinburgh, or climb Arthur's Seat at sunset Sunset Hikes and Highland Cow Hikes in Edinburgh Arthur's Seat Hikes Info & Tickets At Sunset Highland Cow Hikes Info & Tickets In Edinburgh Guided Hikes in Edinburgh Arthur's Seat Sunset Hike Reach the highest point in Edinburgh, at sunset with a qualified Mountain Leader The best time of day to experience Arthur's Seat Avoid the daytime crowds City views over Edinburgh's Old Town and Edinburgh Castle Scenic route to the cummit Learn about other wild animals and plants on the way Head torches provided for the descent after dark Easily accessible from the Royal Mile Experienced, qualified guide Info & Tickets Highland Cow Hike See free-roaming Highland Cows in Edinburgh with a qualified Mountain Leader The best way to experience Highland Cows during your stay in Edinburgh See the cows in their natural environment A mountain backdrop provides excellent photo opportunities Your guide has a tried and tested method for finding the cows on the hill Learn about other wild animals and plants on the way Get a bird's-eye view of Edinburgh city Easily accessible from the city centre Experienced, qualified guide Info & Tickets Featured Articles Where to see Highland Cows in Edinburgh The Experience If you're staying in Edinburgh, the best Highland Cow experience is a Highland Cow Hike with Mountain Marcus. This tour visits Swanston, which easily accessible from Edinburgh city centre. We visit the hairy Highland Cows in their natural environment, without having to travel all the way up to the Scottish Highlands. Situated on a beautiful hillside overlooking Edinburgh, this herd of Highland Cows roams free, allowing us great photo opportunities with impressi The Best Way to See Highland Cows in Edinburgh Visit Highland Cows in their natural environment just outside Edinburgh city centre. The Highland Cow's at Swanston used to be Edinburgh's best kept secret, but recently they have proved very popular with both tourists and locals. Plenty of people arrive by bus and taxi to see them every day. But what most visitors don't realise is that if they only see the three cows kept at the farm, they're missing out on the best part of the experience. If you join a guided Highland Cow H Edinburgh's Own Highland Cows 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 s 1 2 3 Reviews ★★★★★ "Fantastic for a solo traveller! The views at sunset were incredible 100% recommend" Hunter, USA Read More Reviews About ABOUT M ountain M arcus Edinburgh-based Mountain Leader Many years experience exploring Scotland's Wild places Sharing the rugged beauty of Scotland's mountains When I'm not leading groups up Arthur's Seat, I spend as much time as possible in Scotland's mountains. Scotland is home to a lifetime's worth of adventures, so - if you'll excuse me - I'm off to climb another mountain. I've been exploring the Highlands and Islands of Scotland ever since I was a child. Their mystical majesty has captured my heart. Tickets Tickets

See hairy Highland Cows on a walk in Edinburgh. Just 30 minutes from the middle of town. Join a qualified mountain guide on a hike up a mountain overlooking the city, see Edinburgh Castle, the sea, and Arthur's Seat Highland Cow Hike in Edinburgh The best Highland Cow experience in Edinburgh 2-3 hour tour Easily accessible from the centre of Edinburgh Encounter Highland Cows in their natural environment See Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat, and the sea Meeting point: Hillend Country Park Finishing point: Swanston Village Buy Tickets This hike takes us into the hills on the outskirts of Edinburgh. We enjoy far-reaching views over the city and experience the fresh mountain air. This is the best chance you'll get to see Highland Cows in their natural environment. The small herd is here on the hillside 365 days per year, helping to restore the landscape and wildlife. They have free roam of a large area, so sometimes they can take a while to find, but the search is part of the fun. Your guide has a tried-and-tested method for finding the cows on the hill, which has never failed yet. Along the way we'll see a wide variety of native wildlife including flowers, birds, plants, and other animals. The tour starts at Hillend, which is easily accessible from the centre of Edinburgh by taxi or bus. We finish in Swanston, where you can either head back into Edinburgh or get lunch at Swanston Brasserie. FAQs Frequently asked questions 01 How Many Highland Cows will we see? Usually we see 7 cows on the hill and 3 cows at the end at the farm 03 How do I get to the meeting point? We meet at Hillend Country Park Carpark. You can take a taxi or a bus from the city centre. The nearest bus stop is Lothianburn Golf Club (a short walk away) 05 How Hard is the hike? It depends on your own level of experience and fitness. Beginners are very welcome, as long as you're happy hiking on steep trails for up to 3 hours. Your guide will ensure the pace is suitable for the group, with plenty of breaks for a rest. Maximum distance 6km and 300m of ascent 07 Can we pet the cows? This herd of Highland Cows lives on the hillside 365 days per year. They graze freely and don't usually get fed, so they are not interested in being petted by humans. We have to respect their personal space and stay a safe distance away 09 What do I need to bring? Suitable hiking shoes/boots A jacket (waterproof recommended) Water Expect it to be colder and windier on the hill than in the city. In cold weather bring a hat and gloves. In sunny weather bring a sunhat/suncream 02 How Long does the hike take? It depends where the cows are on the hillside. They have a large area where they can roam free, so the whole tour takes us between two and three hours 04 Have you ever not seen the cows? We've always seen the cows on the hillside. We don't know exactly where they will be, but we have a method to find them 06 Do you see any other wildlife during the tour? Yes lots! It varies through the seasons: Wild flowers Wild berries (foraging opportunity) Birds of prey Grouse Deer Much more... 08 Can we get photos with the cows? Yes absolutely! While maintaining a safe distance, we can get close enough for good photos. The mountains, the city, and Edinburgh Castle provide a great backdrop 10 Is this tour suitable for kids? Yes. Children over 10 years old are welcome when accompanied by a responsible adult. They must be able to complete the 3-hour hike on their own

People and Pictures Reviews & Photos Here are some thoughts and opinions from people who have joined me on an Arthur's Seat hike. As you can see, they all had a great time. Kathleen New York "The hike up Arthur's Seat with Marcus was wonderful ! He kept an easy pace , paused at regular intervals, and made sure all of us were OK on the few scrambly bits at the top. Marcus shared lots of interesting info about Edinburgh, the shrubs and flowers that grow nearby, the geography of the city, and lots more. Friendly , easy-going guide and amazing views of Edinburgh -- highly recommend !" See this review on FreeTour.com Allison California "Marcus was great ! He made sure to stop at certain points (not only for views but for a break). It was a long hike up but he made it as easy as possible ." See this review on GetYourGuide.com Jodie Seattle "An excellent welcome and insight to the Edinburgh skyline with Marcus. Very knowledgeable and friendly . He is also accommodating to all speeds of walkers. Well thought out view spots also. Excellent excursion to fight jetlag!" See this review on FreeTour.com Hunter Florida Marcus was an incredible trail guide with lots of hiking experience. Marcus also has a vast knowledge of the areas of Edinburgh that you view while hiking to Arthur’s seat. As a solo traveler I’m very pleased with my hike with Marcus, we took a slightly longer unmarked trail due to both of our physical abilities to hike. Which resulted in constant view of the city and an amazing atmosphere , his extensive knowledge of the trails ensured I got the best views overlooking the city during the entire hike. The weather was amazing during the day of hike and had an unbelievable sunset to view. Marcus answered all of my questions about Edinburgh and was a great conversationalist during the hike. I would recommend this to any travelers that enjoy the outdoors and enjoy hiking. See this review on Viator.com Naom Morocco "I highly recommend this excellent experience . I really enjoyed my walk to Arthur's Seat. So many amazing views in Edinburgh especially at sunset. Marcus was a knowledgeable, friendly and very professional guide. There were several stops at strategic locations to take pictures and admire the views as mentioned in the tour description." See this review on Viator.com