Where to See a Hairy Coo in Glasgow

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They have fringes a 1980s pop star would covet and cute, fluffy feet, so why wouldn’t you want to see a Highland Cow (aka a Hairy Coo) on your trip to Scotland? And the good news is you don’t necessarily have to be in the Scottish countryside to find one. Here’s how to see a Highland Cow near Glasgow.

The quick answer to where to meet the cow of your dreams near Glasgow is Pollok Park on the south-west edge of the city centre.

The parklands own a herd (actually called a fold) of 30 cows – and three bulls – that live in the grounds. They do have plenty of space to roam, so you can’t guarantee how many you’ll see or how close you’ll get; but you’ll likely get a pretty good view of at least a couple.

The day I visited, two different coloured cows were happily munching grass about 200 metres away from the fence. While I did try making coo-noises to get them to come closer, they weren’t having any of it – but I still got some great pictures.

How to Get to Pollok Park

It couldn’t be simpler – you just need to catch the train to a station called Pollokshaws West.

It’s just two stops from Glasgow Central Station, and takes just under 10 minutes to get there. Trains run regularly, so no need to time your journey precisely; just turn up and get on the next service.

The important thing to know is that, unlike some cities where you can tap into the train system with a bank card, you need to buy a ticket in advance. The machines are underneath the bar called Champagne Central. It cost me £3.00 for a return, and you can pay with a credit or debit card.

Once you arrive at Pollokshaws West, it’s a 15-minute walk to the cows through the park. It’s clearly marked on Google Maps as ‘Highland Cows Pen.’ I’d suggest using this as your marker, as there aren’t any signs in the park itself telling you where to go.

I was in the park alone and did wonder whether this was the best idea when Google Maps sent me on a deserted path at one point. You can, however, just follow the main road in the right general direction, and you’ll end up at the cow pen. If you stay on the main path, there are lots of walkers and joggers around. 

If you’re lucky, the cows will be near the fence when you arrive at the pen.

As I said, the day I was there, they were in the middle of the field chomping their way around the grass – but I could still get some good photos and see their fantastic fringes. I have seen pictures online of people queueing up for a fence selfie, though, so they must come nearer sometimes.

Can I Touch Them?

No. You can’t feed them or touch them – this isn’t like one of the cow experiences you can do elsewhere in Scotland. 

However, the local council does offer some organised events where you can get closer to them. 

Let’s start with the cow washing experience. The cows are actually a prize-winning fold, and they regularly compete in farming shows. In the days before the shows, they require some beautifying to ensure their fluffy coats are at their finest, and the public can join in with getting them ready.

Find more details on their website – you do need to book in advance. 

The council also offers talks between April and October, where you can go and learn more about the Pollok Park cows. They also have cow photography days – again, you need to book in for a spot.

Early March is calving season, so if you visit then you might also see some baby cows.

But I Do Want to Touch a Cow?

Then you’ll have to head off on a day tour from Glasgow.

Book onto the Glasgow: Loch Ness, Glen Coe, Hairy Coos and Highlands Tour and you’ll be able to visit a Highland Cow experience as part of the day.

You can also book some private tours that include cow visits.

If you are travelling to Inverness or Loch Ness as part of your Scotland journey, I met a lot of cows there – see more in our upcoming guide to meeting a cow near Loch Ness.

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