This Scottish Castle Offers ‘Bovine Safaris’ That Let You Cuddle With Highland Cows

Some of the Highland Cows with ‘Glenapp’s Private Coos & Ewes’.Credit: Glenapp CastleIf you've ever wished safaris were a bit … cuddlier, your moment has finally arrived. Guests of Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland, are getting up close and personal with Highlanders, a mild-mannered, highly social breed of cows native to the country.

Built in 1870, Glenapp Castle is a 21-suite Relais & Château property with sweeping views of the sea and 110 acres of gardens and woodlands. On "Glenapp's Private Coos & Ewes," guests are whisked away from the historic castle to get cozy in the countryside at nearby High Airyolland Farm. There, they embark on a "bovine safari" in a weatherproof trailer designed for the heartwarming adventure. Participants have a chance to brush the cows' fluffy red coats and even cuddle with more affectionate members of the fold.

Visit the Highland 'Coos' on the Kitchen Coos & Ewes farm.Credit: Glenapp Castle

After spending time with the Highlanders, guests are treated to homemade baked goods, tea, and coffee from the farmhouse kitchen. And they're sent home with a complimentary goody bag filled with Highland cow keepsakes.

The pastoral excursions are hosted by Janet and Neale McQuistin, who have more than a century of farm life under their belts between them. Janet McQuistin can even trace her family's farming history in southwestern Scotland back to 1624. The pair's farm is within the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, an area recognized for its exemplary human-wildlife relations and sustainable practices.

The McQuistins give the cow safari experience "a truly personal touch," according to a release from Glenapp Castle. Thanks to their daily interactions with the Highland fold, the duo can give guests all the details about the cows' social hierarchy and distinct personalities. If visitors are lucky, they'll even get a close-up look at one of the gentle giants with storied modeling careers. (Yes, some particularly resplendent cows have made the cover of Vogue—multiple times.)

Aerial view of Glenapp Castle in the Ayrshire Countryside of Scotland.Credit: Glenapp Castle

The private tours are available exclusively to guests of Glenapp Castle, but anyone can reserve a spot for a group tour of the Highland fold on the farm's website. "Glenapp's Private Coos & Ewes" costs £380 (about $503) for groups of one to four people, and £45 (about $60) for each additional guest. The hotel offers other interactive experiences with animals, including falconry, beachside horseback riding, and a Hebridean Sea Safari, which Travel + Leisure contributor Leslie Jamison described as "divine."

The farm can accommodate up to 24 guests per tour. Gift certificates are also available and make the perfect present for a loved one in need of a great big cow hug.

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