The Scottish 'Highland cow safari' that was named top family day out
Scotland offers countless fun days out for all ages. Whether you are looking to head on a whisky tour with your partner or enjoy a day at a water park with your young ones, the sky's the limit.
One fun activity for the whole family is a visit to one of the country's many farms. One of these was even previously named the top activity in Scotland.
Kitchen Coos & Ewes is a farm attraction based in Dumfries and Galloway, around seven miles outside of the town of Stranraer. It is described on its website as "a farmer-led Highland cow safari".
The attraction, which is run by Neale and Janet McQuistin of Airyolland Farm, offers a number of different tours that allow visitors to meet its animals up close. Both walking and trailer tours are on offer, ranging from £24 to £46 per person.
Among Kitchen Coos & Ewes' most popular tours is the 'Insta Coo Tour', which costs £24 per adult or £12 per child under 16. The experience takes place in the farm's weather -proof tour trailer where visitors can take photos and learn about Highland cows, before returning for "some baking fresh from the farmhouse kitchen".
Meanwhile, the 'Cream Tea Coo Tour' is a more in-depth farm tour that costs £42 per person. On the tour, guests will meet the farm's record-breaking flock of Beltex sheep and get in amongst the Highland cows on the hill, before returning to the farm for a sheep dog demonstration and a cream tea with the hosts.
Also on offer is a walking tour accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, on which visitors will meet a small group of the cows and take photos of them. They will also see the remains of a Bronze Age hut circle and learn about dry-stone dykes.
Finally, the 'Hands-on Coo Tour' lets guests get up close and personal with the Highland cows by grooming them in the farm's outdoor play pen. You will then head out onto the hill to see the main herd being fed before returning to the farmyard for a cup of tea and a trio of traybakes.
VisitScotland wrote: "Venture on a day trip south to Dumfries and Galloway to see Scotland's most iconic farm animal up close. Kitchen Coos & Ewes is home to a phenomenal herd of Highland Cows which you can learn more about on a purpose-built trailer tour around the farm.
"On the Highland cow safari you'll learn about how important these friendly faces are to the environment, whilst seeing them up close and finishing the tour with fresh home baking from the farmhouse.
"If you want that extra special experience, book the Hands-On Coo Tour where you can groom some of the younger cows before heading off on a safari to see the rest of the herd."
Kitchen Coos & Ewes has also earned rave reviews from members of the public. The farm has a perfect five-star rating on Google following 359 reviews.
One visitor shared: "We booked the 'hands on coo tour'—the tour was amazing with lots of infos and insights about the animals, farm and surrounding lands.
"The yearlings we got to pet were so cute and the whole procedure well thought through and to top it all of the tea and baked goods at the end of it all were delicious!
"The staff were extremely friendly and did a great job! We would love to do this again sometime!"
Another posted: "Excellent tour from start to finish. The trailer is very comfortable and everyone has plenty of room and time to get some lovely photos and videos of the cows.
"There are even anchor points for wheelchair users so no-one needs to feel they can't experience the tour. I would highly recommend this tour if you get the opportunity, I for one wouldn't hesitate to visit again."
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