Where to Find Highland Cows Near Loch Ness: Top Spots & Map (2026)
- Jay
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Let's be honest, your trip to Scotland won't feel complete until you've come face-to-face with a Highland Cow. These majestic, fluffy beasts are known to locals and backpackers alike as Hairy Coos, and there's no better place to encounter them than against the stunning backdrop of mythical Loch Ness.
While plenty of bus tours will take you to see the coos as part of their itineraries, you might be pleased to learn that it is surprisingly easy to have a rendezvous with these mighty creatures if travelling by car, and even by public transport, especially thanks to the new Highland Bus Fare Scheme which means a single bus ticket costs just £2.
If you're visiting Loch Ness as a backpacker and looking for the best place to base yourself for Hairy Coo encounters, as well as direct beach access to the Loch, Kayak Hire, Hiking Routes, Castle Ruins and more - look no further than Lochside Hostel. With its own bus stop and free parking for guests, there's nowhere easy to get to all the sights mentioned in this article than Lochside.
Book through Scotland's Top Hostels to get the best price and flexibility, plus use code LOCHNESSYES to bag 15% off your stay this Summer:
The Interactive Loch Ness Hairy Coo Map (2026)
Want to get an idea of just how close Hairy Coos are to Loch Ness? Take a look at our map below, and details of how to get to all of the locations + what to add on to your itinerary while you're visiting are below:
Drumbuie Farm: The Closest Spot to Lochside Hostel & Accessible by Public Transport
If you're staying at Lochside Hostel or any accommodation around Loch Ness or in Inverness and are without a car, this is your absolute clearest bet for a Coo encounter. Located just outside of the village of Drumnadrochit (the locals just call it Drum, don't worry too much about the pronounciation!), the traditional working Highland farm Drumbuie Farm is located up on the hillside overlooking Loch Ness.
Once you arrive at the farm, you'll find a pleasant tearoom overlooking the fields which is surprisingly affordable. To meet the cows up close and personal, you'll need to pay just £5 to the tearoom owners, just ask for their 'Walk in Hairy Coo Meet & Greet Experience' which is offered first-come, first-served. It's well worth the small fee, and is the best way to give these friendly long-horned floofs a pet on the head.
It's easy to combine your day trip to Drumbuie Farm with a handful of other popular attractions close to Drumnadrochit. On your short walk from the village, you'll pass the Loch Ness Centre on your left hand side, which features an immersive exhibition about the mystery of the Monster. Similarly close by are the ruins of Urquhart Castle, which have their own bus stop you can drop by on your way to or back from the hostel.
How to get there from Lochside Hostel:
You can reach Drumbuie Farm through a short walk from the Drumnadrochit Post Office bus stop, serviced by Citylink and Ember buses regularly throughout the day in each direction toward Inverness, Fort William, Lochside Hostel, Skye and Oban. Buses in each direction now cost just £2 in 2026 thanks to the new affordable Highland Bus Fare Scheme pilot.
The bus will take around 20 minutes from Lochside Hostel, or around half an hour from Inverness if you're coming from the Highland Capital. Ember buses need to be booked in advance on their website, whereas you can flag the Citylink buses down from the bus stop literally across from Lochside's doorstep. It's a popular day trip to do, and the staff at Lochside will be more than happy to help you plan your trip.
Dochgarroch Lock: Spotting Coos and Hopping on a Loch Ness Cruise
Once you've got the tongue-twister name worked out, Dochgarroch Lock is another spot you can stop by to spot some Hairy Coos. It's especially advantageous to do so if you're thinking about taking a short day cruise out on Loch Ness while you stay in the area - as the coos are located right next to the departure point for Jacobite Cruises out across the Loch.
While it's free to see the Coos here, it's worth knowing that they are only out in the fields during the summer months. If you're looking to jump on a cruise then prices start from around £21 as of June 2026.
How to get there from Lochside Hostel:
You'll want to take either a Citylink or Ember bus from the bus stop across the road from the hostel to the Dochgarroch bus stop. It'll take around 25-30 minutes depending on traffic, and both operators run buses throughout the day during the summer.
Ember buses need to be booked in advance on their website, whereas you can flag the Citylink buses down from the bus stop literally across from Lochside's doorstep. Again, this is a popular day trip to do, and the staff at Lochside will be more than happy to help you plan your trip.
The Camerons Tea Room: Coos & Cake Near the Falls of Foyers
If you're travelling by car and looking to do the full loop around Loch Ness (which you absolutely should if you can!), you'll find The Camerons Tea Room across on the 'quieter' side of the Loch - less tourist buses head this way, and the village of Foyers is a popular stop for road-trippers owing to its majestic waterfall, the Falls of Foyers.
Just outside of the village, the tea room is open Wednesday - Sunday from 10am - 3pm and offers a chance for you to get up close with these big friendly ginger beasts. The Cameron family have been farming here for generations, and the field with the Coos is located right in front of their outdoor seating area, making it the perfect place to sip a coffee while a Highland Cow stares back at you from a few metres away.
How to get there from Lochside Hostel:
There's no reliable public transport from Lochside Hostel and other major destinations on the other side of the Loch to Foyers, meaning the only route to get there is by car. It'll take around 35-40 minutes driving via the town of Fort Augustus, where you can also make a stop by the Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre.
Park at the tea room, and try to fit in a visit to the nearby Falls of Foyers (worth noting that parking at the Falls is paid!).
Redburn Cafe: Coo-Spotting on Your Way to the Isle of Skye
Now it's worth noting the last few times that I've been to Redburn Cafe, the Coos have not been showing their face - but if you're headed towards the Isle of Skye in a car after visiting Lochside Hostel, then it's worth a quick pull-over to see if they're out in the fields. Located around a 15-20 minute drive from Lochside Hostel on the Skye Road, this cafe often has the big fluffs out in the field just across the road.
Why Lochside Hostel is the Ultimate Basecamp for Coo-Spotting
If you want to be close to the Coos, while also having the opportunity to enjoy the absolute best of Loch Ness, make your overnight stop at Lochside Hostel. Located halfway down the Loch, you'll find it easy to access these locations either by public transport (right from the hostel doorstep!) or by driving (there's free parking for guests!).
The hostel is also located right along the Great Glen Way, giving it phenomenal access to day hikes around the local area. Being the only hostel with its own beach on the Loch, you'll also find Kayak Hire, Morning Group Swims and Bonfire Nights an unbeatable part of your Scottish Highlands itinerary. The team of volunteers at the hostel host daily social events, so you're sure to make friends whether you're a solo traveller, road-tripper, backpacker, or Hairy Coo fanatic.
Book through Scotland's Top Hostels to get the best price and flexibility, plus use code LOCHNESSYES to bag 15% off your stay this Summer:
Comments