Edinburgh in August is a fantastic place to be.
The Fringe is in full swing, the streets are buzzing, the cafés are busy and there always seems to be something happening around the next corner.
But sometimes, after a few days in the city, people start looking for something a little different.
A little quieter.
A little slower.
A chance to swap cobbled streets for countryside, crowds for fresh air and busy schedules for a few hours spent outdoors.
And if meeting a Highland cow is on your Scotland wish list, here is the good news: you do not need to drive all the way to the Highlands to find them.
Jacksons at Jedburgh offers an authentic Highland Cow Experience on a real working family farm in the Scottish Borders, just over an hour from Edinburgh.
So, is Jacksons at Jedburgh worth the trip?
We might be slightly biased, but we think so.
Here’s why.
How Far Is Jacksons at Jedburgh From Edinburgh?
Jacksons at Jedburgh is located in the Scottish Borders, just over an hour’s drive from Edinburgh.
That makes it an easy day trip for visitors staying in the city, families looking for something different during the school holidays or anyone wanting to experience a quieter, more rural side of Scotland without travelling deep into the Highlands.
The journey itself is part of the experience.
As the city gives way to rolling countryside, the pace begins to change too. Before long, the traffic lights have disappeared, the views have opened up and the day’s to-do list suddenly feels a little less important.
During the busy Edinburgh Festival season, it can be exactly the change of pace you need.
Can You Meet Highland Cows Near Edinburgh?
Absolutely. In fact, that is one of the main reasons visitors travel to Jacksons from Edinburgh and much further afield.
Our Highland cows have become firm favourites with visitors from across the UK and around the world.
With their shaggy coats, impressive horns and wonderfully calm personalities, they have a way of stopping people in their tracks.
Or, at the very least, filling up phone galleries much faster than expected.
We regularly hear visitors say they will take “just a couple of photos” before quietly spending the next ten minutes trying to choose their favourite.
You may meet Bonnie, one of our bottle-reared Highland cows and a particular favourite with visitors, or spot Ben, our magnificent Highland bull and the father of this year’s calves. He has the biggest head on the farm and a deep rumbling call that sounds more like a lion than a cow.
You can also read more about our baby Highland cows and the individual personalities within the herd.
What Happens During the Highland Cow Experience?
This is not simply a chance to look at Highland cows from the other side of a fence.
Your visit begins with a welcome at the farm before you climb aboard the trailer and head out across the fields.
For younger visitors, the scenic trailer ride is often an attraction in its own right.
Once you reach the herd, you will have time to watch the cows and calves in their natural surroundings, take photographs, ask questions and learn more about the breed.
Along the way, Fenwick will share stories about life on the farm, the personalities of the cattle and why Highland cows are such an important part of what we do.
After returning to the yard, visitors get the opportunity to meet some of our younger Highland cattle more closely, including touching and feeding them under supervision.
For many visitors, it becomes one of the highlights of their trip to Scotland.
You can find a full step-by-step guide in our post about the Ultimate Highland Cow Experience in the Scottish Borders.
You Can See the Highland Cows on a General Farm Visit Too
You do not have to book the guided experience to see the Highland cows. General farm visitors can follow our self-guided Highland Way, which takes you out to watch the herd grazing in their natural environment.
It is a lovely way to enjoy the countryside, take your time and see what the cows are getting up to that day.
More Than Just Highland Cows
As much as we love our Highland cows, there is plenty more to discover during your visit.
Meet the goats, who generally believe they should be involved in everything happening on the farm.
Watch the piglets growing and causing mischief. Spot chickens and ducks. Climb on the old tractors. Explore the outdoor play area.
Bring a picnic, or pick up a coffee and ice cream from the farm shop before finding a bench overlooking the fields.
Because Jacksons is a real working family farm, no two visits are quite the same.
Visitors often tell us how relaxed the farm feels. There are no long queues and no pressure to rush from one attraction to the next.
Just animals, open space, fresh Borders air and time together.
Escape the Edinburgh Festival Crowds for a Day
Edinburgh during the Festival is exciting, colourful and full of energy.
It can also be very busy.
After a few days of shows, street performances, restaurant bookings and crowded pavements, a day in the Scottish Borders offers a welcome chance to slow down.
At Jacksons, you can spend time outdoors, meet animals on a real working farm and experience a side of Scotland that feels very different from the city.
It is not a staged version of rural life created for tourists.
The animals are part of the farm. The tractors are working tractors. The weather may change three times during your visit.
That is part of the charm.
You can meet the Highland cows, enjoy a picnic, let the children explore and still return to Edinburgh in time for dinner or an evening performance.
A Different Side of Scotland
Many visitors arrive in Scotland expecting to find Highland cows somewhere in the Highlands.
And that is understandable. But authentic rural experiences can often be much closer than people realise.
At Jacksons, visitors get the chance to experience a real working family farm, learn about the animals and spend time outdoors in the beautiful Borders countryside.
It is Scotland at a gentler pace.
The kind where children disappear off to explore, grandparents settle down with a cup of tea and nobody seems particularly concerned about what time it is.
For visitors combining a farm visit with a few days in Edinburgh, it can offer the perfect balance.
A Family Day Trip From Edinburgh
Jacksons is particularly popular with families, grandparents and younger children.
Toddlers love meeting the animals. Older children enjoy exploring the farm and climbing on the tractor.
Grown-ups often appreciate the opportunity to slow down, finish a coffee and enjoy the view for a while.
Every family is different, and we are always happy to discuss individual needs before your visit. If sharing a little information in advance would make your day easier or more comfortable, please get in touch.
Why August Is a Great Time to Visit
While Edinburgh is often at its busiest in August, the Scottish Borders offers a little more breathing space.
The animals are active, the countryside is full of colour and there is plenty happening around the farm.
It is also a lovely time to see this year’s Highland calves alongside their mums.
Later in the month, as Scottish schools return, visits can become quieter again. This makes it a particularly good time for families with toddlers, grandparents or anyone who prefers a calmer day out.
Make a Full Day of Your Scottish Borders Trip
A visit to Jacksons does not have to be the only stop on your itinerary.
Jedburgh is home to independent shops, cafés, historic attractions and beautiful walks, making it easy to turn your Highland Cow Experience into a full day out.
You could enjoy your experience and farm visit in the morning, explore Jedburgh in the afternoon and return to Edinburgh for dinner.
For more ideas, the Visit Jedburgh website is a useful place to plan the rest of your day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Jacksons at Jedburgh from Edinburgh?
Jacksons at Jedburgh is just over an hour from Edinburgh by car, making it a straightforward day trip from the city.
Do I need to drive to the Highlands to meet Highland cows?
No. Visitors can meet Highland cows on our real working farm in the Scottish Borders, just over an hour from Edinburgh.
Can you meet Highland cows near Edinburgh?
Yes. Visitors can meet Highland cows at Jacksons through both general farm visits and our dedicated Highland Cow Experience.
What happens during the Highland Cow Experience?
The guided experience includes a scenic tractor and trailer ride, time with the herd in the field, information about the cattle and the chance to meet and feed some of our younger Highland cows more closely.
Is Jacksons suitable for toddlers and young children?
Absolutely. The farm is popular with families and younger children who enjoy meeting animals, exploring outdoors and spending time in nature.
Do I need to book a Highland Cow Experience?
Advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly during the Edinburgh Festival and school holiday periods.
Can I visit the farm without booking a Highland Cow Experience?
Yes. General farm visitors can meet the other animals, explore the farm and follow the self-guided Highland Way to see the Highland cows in their natural environment.
Is Jacksons at Jedburgh Worth the Trip?
We might be slightly biased, but we think so.
You do not need to drive deep into the Highlands to stand a few metres from one of Scotland’s most iconic animals.
Whether you are hoping to meet Highland cows, escape Edinburgh’s crowds for a day or simply experience a quieter side of Scotland, Jacksons offers something that can be difficult to find in the city:
Space.
Fresh air.
A real working farm.
Time together.
And perhaps a few more Highland cow photographs than you originally planned.
