There are certain things you expect to photograph on a trip to Scotland.
A castle. A loch. A dramatic view. Possibly your lunch. Bonus points for haggis or a deep-fried Mars bar.
And then you spot a Highland cow.
Suddenly you’re standing at the side of a field taking 53 photographs of an animal who hasn’t moved for several minutes.
We see it all the time at Jacksons.
Whether visitors are meeting the fold on our Highland Cow Experience or simply spotting them during a day on the farm, phones come out almost immediately.
Before long, somebody is trying to get the perfect photograph of a cow who is far more interested in eating grass than cooperating with their camera.
So, what is it about Highland cows that makes them so ridiculously photogenic?
We have a few theories.
1. Let’s Start With the Hair
Obviously.
There aren’t many farm animals who can pull off a fringe quite like a Highland cow.
Long, shaggy and very rarely looking as though anyone has made the slightest attempt to style it, their famous hair is probably the first thing most people notice.
It’s there for a practical reason. Highland cattle have a double coat that helps protect them from the Scottish weather.
But it also gives every cow a slightly different look.
Some have neat-ish fringes.
Others seem to have been caught in a strong wind for most of their lives.
Either way, the camera loves them.
If you want to know a little more about the breed, we’ve shared some of our favourite Highland cow facts and stories here.
2. The Horns Help Too
Then there are the horns.
Both male and female Highland cattle have them, although they tend to grow differently. Bulls generally have thicker horns pointing forwards, while cows’ horns are usually longer and curve upwards.
Either way, they’re impressive.
Add those distinctive horns to the shaggy coat and you’ve got a silhouette that’s instantly recognisable.
Even from quite a distance, nobody is mistaking a Highland cow for anything else.
3. They Have Brilliant Expressions
We’re not entirely sure how an animal with so much hair covering its face manages to be quite so expressive.
But they do.
Curious.
Contented.
Slightly suspicious.
Deeply unimpressed.
Sometimes all within the space of a few minutes.
Perhaps that’s why taking one photograph never seems to be enough. The next expression might be even better.
And if you’re waiting for a Highland cow to look directly at the camera?
Good luck.
They’ll do it eventually.
Probably just after you’ve put your phone away.
4. They’ve Got Personality. Lots of It.
Spend a bit of time with Highland cows and you soon realise that the fabulous hair and impressive horns are only part of the story.
They’ve got personalities. And they’re definitely not all the same.
Some are confident and curious and will happily come over to investigate who’s arrived. Others prefer to hang back and watch what’s going on. Some are wonderfully laid-back.
And, like most families, there are always one or two characters who seem determined to do things their own way.
That’s one of the reasons they’re so much fun to photograph.
You’re not simply trying to capture what they look like.
You’re trying to capture them.
Take Bonnie.
Bonnie was a bottle-reared twin here at Jacksons and became particularly used to people while she was being cared for. Confident, curious and extremely friendly, she quickly became a firm favourite with visitors.
She’s the sort of cow who doesn’t just appear in people’s photographs.
People remember her name afterwards.
You can read more about Bonnie and our baby Highland cows if you’d like to meet some of the younger members of the fold too.
5. And Then There’s Ben
If Bonnie brings the personality, Ben brings the drama.
Ben is our Highland bull and the proud dad of all the calves born here at Jacksons.
He’s hard to miss.
Enormous head. Spectacular horns. And a deep rumbling call that some visitors have been known to compare to a lion rather than a cow.
He certainly looks impressive in photographs.
Thankfully, he doesn’t appear to have let this go to his head.
So far.
6. They’re a Scottish Icon for a Reason
There can’t be many animals more instantly associated with Scotland than the Highland cow.
That shaggy coat. The unmistakable horns.
Put them against rolling fields, big skies and the changing light of the Scottish countryside and you’ve got an image that feels unmistakably Scottish.
Highland cattle have been part of Scotland’s rural landscape for centuries, but their appeal has travelled rather further than they have.
You’ll find their faces on everything from postcards and calendars to cushions, mugs and paintings.
But like a good scarecrow, we’d argue they look considerably better out standing in a field.
Sorry. We couldn’t resist.
And you don’t have to travel all the way to the Highlands to photograph them.
Jacksons at Jedburgh is in the Scottish Borders, around an hour from Edinburgh and Newcastle, so you can meet Highland cows without adding another day’s driving to your trip.
7. They Couldn’t Care Less About Your Photograph
This might actually be the secret.
Highland cows aren’t posing or performing.
They’re just doing their thing and getting on with being Highland cows.
They graze. They wander about. They stop and stare at things. Occasionally they decide that wherever another cow is standing looks considerably more interesting than where they’ve been standing themselves.
And meanwhile, we’re all taking photographs.
There’s something wonderfully unfiltered about it.
The best pictures aren’t necessarily the perfectly posed ones.
They’re the ones that capture a bit of character, a funny expression or simply the sight of these remarkable animals going about their day.
Want to Take Your Own Highland Cow Photos?
You have a couple of options when you visit Jacksons.
You can follow our self-guided Highland Way and watch the fold from our purpose-built walkway as part of your farm visit.
Or, if meeting Highland cows is firmly on your bucket list, book our Highland Cow Experience.
You’ll head out across the farm on a scenic trailer ride before meeting our friendly fold up close, with plenty of time to enjoy the views and take photographs during the guided experience.
Afterwards, you’re free to explore the rest of the farm at your own pace during the main visitor season.
Our only advice?
Charge your phone before you arrive.
You have been warned.
Give a Highland Cow Experience
Know someone whose camera roll already contains an unreasonable number of Highland cows?
A Highland Cow Experience voucher makes a brilliant gift for birthdays, Christmas or simply for someone who would much rather unwrap an experience than another mug.
They can choose when they visit, meet the fold for themselves and, naturally, take far too many photographs while they’re here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I photograph Highland cows in Scotland?
You can see and photograph Highland cows at Jacksons at Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders. Our Highland Cow Experience gives you the chance to meet the fold during a guided visit, while our self-guided Highland Way lets you watch them from a purpose-built walkway during a general farm visit.
Can I see Highland cows near Edinburgh?
Yes. Jacksons at Jedburgh is around an hour from Edinburgh, making it an easy option if seeing Highland cows is on your Scotland wish list but you aren’t travelling all the way into the Highlands.
Can I take photographs during the Highland Cow Experience?
Absolutely. Taking photographs and enjoying the views is part of the experience, so bring your phone or camera with you.
When is the best time to photograph Highland cows?
There is something different to photograph throughout the year. Spring can bring new calves, summer means long days and green countryside, while autumn brings changing colours and a completely different feel to the landscape.
What you see will naturally vary because Jacksons is a real working farm.
Do I need to book a Highland Cow Experience to photograph the cows?
No. During the main farm visitor season, you can see the Highland cows on our self-guided Highland Way as part of your farm visit.
If you’d like a closer, guided encounter with the fold, the Highland Cow Experience is the one to book.
Can I give a Highland Cow Experience as a gift?
Yes. Highland Cow Experience vouchers are available and make a great gift for birthdays, Christmas or anyone who would love to meet Highland cows in Scotland.
Ready for Your Close-Up?
If your camera roll could do with a few more Highland cows in it, we’d love to introduce you to ours.
Come and meet Bonnie, look out for Ben and discover for yourself why nobody ever seems to leave Jacksons with just one Highland cow photograph.
Or, if you know someone else who would love to meet them buy a gift voucher.
Just remember to charge your phone first.
