BLAIRGOWRIE GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Hands-On with Highland Coos: Upclose Cattle Encounters on the Moor Above Blairgowrie
A guided 90‑minute Bowland Trails experience that combines a low‑speed all‑terrain buggy ride with close interaction — feeding, grooming and photographing Highland cattle and their calves.
Hands-On with Highland Coos: Upclose Cattle Encounters on the Moor Above Blairgowrie.
At Bowland Trails just above Blairgowrie you step out of the tourist gaze and into a fold of Highland cattle. Over a 1.5‑hour guided tour you ride in an All‑Terrain Vehicle around farm and moor to hand‑feed, stroke and groom breeding Highlanders and their calves while learning how this hardy native breed lives and behaves in panoramic hill country.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Close contact with a large fold of breeding Highland cattle
Participants can hand‑feed, stroke and groom Highland cattle and their young calves, learning about herd hierarchy, family bonds and behaviour while getting abundant photo opportunities.
All‑Terrain vehicle access across farm and moor
The experience uses a Kawasaki Mule 4WD buggy to carry guests around the farm and out onto the moor, allowing the buggy to travel right alongside the cattle for close observation with minimal walking.
See calves during the calving season
Calving begins in April and runs into the summer; on spring and early‑summer departures you may witness newborn calves taking their first steps beneath their mothers' watchful eyes.
What the day feels like
What the Highland Coo Experience Feels Like
The flow is intimate and low‑key: guests board a Kawasaki Mule buggy for a guided circuit of Bowland Trails, pause alongside grazing Highlanders on the high ground above Blairgowrie, then disembark briefly to hand‑feed, groom and photograph the cattle and calves under the guide’s instruction.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience suits — and what to expect physically.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Wear boots or outdoor shoes/trainer suitable for standing on uneven or damp/wet ground on the farm or moor.
Sturdy footwear is required; trainers are acceptable but boots are recommended for footing on the moor and near animals.
Dress for outdoor conditions and potential damp ground; suitable outdoor shoes are the explicit requirement.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Will there be far to walk?
No — the operator uses a Kawasaki Mule buggy to travel around the farm and onto the moor and will take the buggy right alongside the coos, limiting the amount of walking required.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs must remain in your car for the experience; there is plenty of shade to park under the trees. You may walk your dog on a lead before and after the experience.
Do I need to bring a car seat for my baby?
No — the tour does not use public roads and the buggy runs at a maximum speed of less than 10 miles per hour; babies are held in arms or carried in a Papoose or backpack carrier.
What vehicle is used during the tour?
The experience uses a Kawasaki Mule 4WD buggy to carry guests around the farm and onto the moor.
Is there shade to leave a dog during the experience?
Yes — there is plentiful shade under trees where you can park and leave your dog in the car for the duration of the experience.