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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:

The clocks have changed, and the colours are turning. Nights are drawing in, and the forests are at their best. Here are a few scenes from around Scotland in recent weeks

Guided hikes with a qualified Mountain Leader. Join Mountain Marcus on a walk to Edinburgh's highest point. Enjoy a little slice of the Scottish Highlands in the city centre Professional hiking Guide in Edinburgh Arthur's Seat Hikes Info & Tickets Sunset & Sunrise Highland Cow Hikes Info & Tickets In Edinburgh Reviews ★★★★★ "Fantastic for a solo traveller! The views at sunset were incredible 100% recommend" Hunter, USA Read More Reviews Arthur's Seat Sunset Hikes Great For: Solo Travellers Couples Families Groups " A hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design" Robert Louis Stevenson There aren't many cities with a mountain right in their centre. Arthur's Seat is conveniently located just a few steps away from the Royal Mile and the Old Town. It's a little piece of the Scottish Highlands which you can experience without leaving the city. Climb a Volcano in the Centre of Edinburgh with a qualified Mountain Leader Arthur's Seat sits in the middle of Edinburgh, and is the highest point in the city , with amazing panoramic views and an unspoilt natural environment. If you want to climb a mountain near Edinburgh , you should try Arthur's Seat because it's a mountain in Edinburgh. We will meet in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town , and walk to Arthur's Seat from the Royal Mile . Very quickly the sounds of the city fade away as we enter the tranquil natural oasis of Holyrood Park. Here you will feel like you've been transported to the countryside, with the beautiful trees and rugged outline of the mountain lying ahead. Sunset: At sunset the hill takes on a whole different personality. Scotland has some of the world's most beautiful skies , especially during Golden Hour - when this hike takes place. The colours are constantly changing: oranges, pinks, purples, and the dramatic clouds add a dynamic , elemental force to the experience. After reaching the summit to watch the final moments of the Sunset, we walk down the hill in the twilight as the colour of the sky continues to change, ending back where we started in the centre of the city. Useful Information: Route & Terrain: - Arthur’s Seat is 251 metres high (823 feet) - Some sections of the path are steep, rocky, and loose - There will be plenty of opportunities to stop, take photos, and admire the view - Occasionally, the route may need to be adapted due to the weather conditions or group members Weather & Clothing: - Please wear appropriate hiking shoes/boots and bring a jacket in case it's cold or wet - In cold weather please bring a hat and gloves - In sunny weather you may also want to bring a sun hat, sunglasses and suncream - The weather in Scotland can change quickly. It can be colder and windier on the hill than in the city Also Note: - There are no toilets anywhere on the route - Parking: Holyrood Car Park is sometimes full or closed for events. Allow time to find an alternative, or preferably arrive by foot or public transport. Featured Articles 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 Autumn Colours in Scotland The clocks have changed, and the colours are turning. Nights are drawing in, and the forests are at their best. Here are a few scenes from around Scotland in recent weeks What’s the Weather Like on Arthur’s Seat? How often does it rain? The short answer is “It probably won’t rain on you”. The long answer is longer: I’ve walked up Arthur’s Seat... 1 2 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 Now - December 2025

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 Pentland Hills in Edinburgh We're going on an adventure to see Highland Cows in their natural environment. Just 30 minutes from the centre of Edinburgh Amazing viewpoint over the city See Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat, and the sea Hike up a mountain right next to the city 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. 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.

Highland Hiking Day Trip Cairngorms National Park From Edinburgh Experience the best of the Scottish Highlands and hike up one of Scotland's tallest mountains An early departure from Edinburgh allows us to take public transport to Aviemore - the gateway to the Cairngorms mountain range - where we take a transfer to into the hills. The hike takes us high up onto the Cairngorm Plateau, a world away from the city we left behind. This is a world of incredible natural beauty, remoteness, grandeur, and fragility. Often we see majestic mountain hares, fluffy ptarmigans, stately stags, and rare eagles. As the seasons change, so do the colours and textures of the ancient forests and high mountain plants. We return to Edinburgh in the evening, watching the sun go down as we travel South. Alternatively, you may choose to continue North to Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands. From Inverness you can take transfers to the Isle of Skye and other parts of the Highlands.