Where to See Highland Cows Near Edinburgh (The Best Day Trip for Backpackers)
- Jay
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
If you’re visiting Edinburgh, seeing Highland Cows, or 'Hairy Coos' as they’re often known in Scotland, is high on the list for many backpackers. The good news is that you don’t need to head deep into the Highlands or book an expensive tour to see these big fluffy, friendly beasts! You can travel a short distance to Swanston Farm where you can spot Highland cows, and enjoy nearby walking routes in the scenic Pentland Hills.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best places to see Highland cows near Edinburgh, how to get there without a car, and what backpackers should know before heading for an encounter with their new furry friends.
Can You See Highland Cows Near Edinburgh?
Yes, you can see Highland Cows surprisingly close to Edinburgh, and despite the name you definitely don’t need to travel all the way to the Scottish Highlands just to find them.
While you might imagine hairy coos hanging out in locations like remote glens and mountain landscapes, Highland cattle are kept on farms and country estates across much of Scotland, including just outside of the capital city. This makes them one of the easiest “classic Scotland” experiences to add to an Edinburgh trip, even if you’re only visiting for a couple of days.
For backpackers, this is good news because some of the best places to spot Highland cows can be reached on foot, by local bus, or as part of a simple day trip. Whether you want a short walk with picturesque countryside views or a full day trip that combines a visit to the coos with some afternoon hiking and sightseeing, there are several easy options near Edinburgh.
Seeing Highland cows is also a good way to experience a quieter side of Scotland beyond the city centre without spending too much money, with a single bus fare to the nearest spot just £2.40 in April 2026.
Where Are the Closest Highland Cows to Edinburgh and How Do I Get To Them with Public Transport?
The closest location where you can see Highland Cows from Edinburgh's Old Town (where many of the backpackers hostels are located) is Swanston Farm, located in the Pentland Hills just on the edge of the city. It's a popular place to visit for locals and visitors alike, in a scenic natural setting.
Most backpackers will choose to take public transport during their time in Edinburgh - if doing so, it is just over a half hour (~33 minutes to be exact) bus journey with a single fare costing just £2.40 in April 2026.
If taking public transport, you'll ideally want to take the Number 27 bus from Victoria Street to the Howe Park bus stop, operated by the local main bus operator Lothian Buses. This bus leaves regularly during the day time in both directions, around twice every hour. The Victoria Street bus stop is located seconds from the Royal Mile and minutes from major backpackers hostels like Castle Rock Hostel, Royal Mile Backpackers and High Street Hostel.
If you miss the 27 bus, you can also catch the Number 16 bus from the Usher Hall Bus Stop, getting off at the (admittedly oddly name) Cockit Hat bus stop. This bus costs the same and takes around the same time, but is a further walk both from the tourist centre of the Old Town and a further walk to get to Swanston Farm when you get off the bus.
You can also take a taxi if your budget stretches or if you're splitting the fare with your hostel dormmates, or if you're headed out on a road trip around Scotland, you can drive to Swanston Farm on your way out of the city and make it your first destination in the countryside.
Swanston Farm and the Pentland Hills: The Easiest Highland Cow Spot
After following the instructions above to take the Number 27 bus to Howe Park, it's a short, flat, and simple walk over a bridge across the city's bypass road to get to Swanston Farm - you'll leave the city quickly behind you and find yourself in the picturesque and charming Pentland Hills Regional Park in around 15 minutes walking.
The farm sits at the foot of the hills, and is free to visit. There are a number of trails, and a swanky restaurant called The Brasserie, where you can pick up maps of the local walking routes available. There is easily marked signage to take you right up to the big floofs in fields surrounding the farm fields.
Pair your trip to see the big hairy creatures with a relaxed afternoon of walking in the neighbouring Pentland Hills - you'll find a trail following the Swanston Burn ('burn' being a Scottish word for stream) behind the farm up to the nearby Caerketton and Allermuir Hills, which definitely require a bit more hiking than a wander around the farm, bring appropriate footwear and always be ready for the changeable Scottish Weather!
Day Trips from Edinburgh to See Highland Cows
If you want to combine seeing Highland cows with a bigger day out, there are plenty of easy trips from Edinburgh where you’re likely to spot them alongside some of Scotland’s best scenery.
Places like the Trossachs National Park, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park are all accessible These trips give you a better chance of seeing Highland cows in wider Highland-style landscapes rather than just in a single field. Less of these locations are accessible by public transport. Explore this handy map of Hairy Coo-spotting locations:
Want to see Hairy Coos up close without any of the day-trip planning spot? Our award-winning multi-day Macbackpackers Bus Tours feature a trip to see Highland Coos across every type of tour, as well as packing in visits to Scotland's heavy-hitter destinations like Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye, the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Glencoe.
Use code EXPLORE10 to get 10% off your tour booking in 2026, with prices starting from just £189!
Can You See Highland Cows Without a Tour or Car?
Yes - as mentioned above the easiest way to do so is to visit Swanston Farm using public transport and a short walk from Edinburgh City Centre, and be there in little under an hour from the Old Town.
Tips for Seeing Highland Cows Safely and Respectfully
Always keep a respectful distance, even if the cows seem calm — Highland cattle are large animals and can be unpredictable.
Never climb over fences or enter private fields unless there is clear public access.
Don’t try to feed or touch the cows, as this can stress them and encourage unsafe behaviour.
Stick to marked paths and access routes, particularly in places like Pentland Hills Regional Park where livestock graze close to walking trails.
Bring a zoom lens or use your phone’s zoom rather than getting too close for photos.
Remember that Highland cows are part of working farms and landscapes, so treat the area with the same respect you would any rural environment.
Main Image Copyright: Swanston Farm
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