This Scottish Castle Offers Highland Cow Cuddling Safaris – and It's Just as Wholesome as It Seems!

This Scottish Castle Offers Highland Cow Cuddling Safaris – and It's Just as Wholesome as It Seems!

Magical Castles 2025-09-14 ParkingNearAirports.io

Glenapp Castle's "Coos & Ewes" offers a unique countryside animal encounter you didn't realize you were missing!

Are you ready for an adventure? What makes this "bovine safari" a must-do?

Source: Charlie Seaman/Unsplash


If you've ever wanted a safari, that's a bit more... cuddlier, this is your chance! Guests at Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland, are now able to get up close and personal with Highlanders, a gentle and highly social breed of cow native to the country.


Glenapp Castle, a 21-suite Relais & Château property built in 1870, boasts stunning sea views and is set on 110 acres of gardens and woodlands. For the "Glenapp's Private Coos & Ewes" tour, guests are transported from the historic castle to the nearby Airyolland Farm. They take a "bovine safari" in a weatherproof trailer, specially designed for this heartwarming adventure, where they get the chance to brush the cows' fluffy red coats and even cuddle with the most affectionate members of the herd.


After their time with the Highlanders, guests are treated to homemade baked goods, coffee, and tea from the farmhouse kitchen. They also receive a complimentary goody bag filled with Highland cow keepsakes to take home.


The tours are led by Janet and Neale McQuistin, a couple with a combined 108 years of farm life experience. Janet McQuistin can even trace her family's farming history in southwestern Scotland back to 1624. Their farm is part of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, an area recognized for its exemplary human-wildlife relations and sustainable practices.


Source: Peter Hoogmoed/Unsplash


A release from Glenapp Castle states that the McQuistins provide a "truly personal touch" to the cow safari. Thanks to their daily interactions with the Highland herd, the duo can give guests all the details about the cows' social hierarchy and distinct personalities. If visitors are lucky, they may even get a close look at one of the gentle giants with a storied modeling career. (Yes, some particularly majestic cows have been featured on the cover of Vogue multiple times.)


While the private tours are exclusive to guests of Glenapp Castle, anyone can reserve a spot for a group tour of the Highland herd on the farm's website. The "Glenapp Coos and Ewes" experience costs 290 euros (about $336) for groups of 1 to 4 people, with an additional 45 euros ($52) for each extra guest. The hotel also offers other interactive animal experiences, including falconry and horseback riding, as well as a Hebridean Sea Safari.


According to the "Kitchen Coos and Ewes" website, tours are closed from February 20 through March and for most of November. The farm can accommodate up to 15 guests per tour. Gift certificates are also available, making them the perfect gift for a loved one who could use a big cow hug. When planning your trip, you should look for discount airport parking or other airport parking alternatives to save money. For great parking discounts, check out services like ParkingNearAirports.io.