I was really happy to finally see them, I thought the cows were adorable, especially with their fluffy coats wet in the rain! I also saw a baby highland cow, which was so cute!
They are strongly associated with the Scottish Highlands, a mountanous region in the northern part of Scotland. Visitors can even take guided Highland cow walking or hiking experiences to see or pet these animals up close in the Scottish countryside!
However, they can also live in other regions across Scotland and across other countries around the world. I saw them at Pollok Country Park in Glasgow, where they live in a grassy, open area with trees and plenty of space to graze, surrounded by a fence for their protection.
Highland cows are especially well adapted to Scotland's often cold, wet and windy weather with their double-layered fur coats. The longer outer layer helps repel rain and block wind, while the softer undercoat traps warmth close to their bodies. They also graze on grass and other vegetation for food.
Something else I found interesting was that some of the cows were lying down when I visited! My friend Amelia mentioned a popular belief that cows lie down when they sense rain is approaching. Although this is a common saying, there is no strong scientific evidence that cows can actually predict the weather this way. They often lie down simply to rest or chew their cud. Still, it was an interesting detail to notice during our particularly rainy visit!
