Best Place to Experience Highland Cows Near Inverness 🐮

Welcome Back to the Fold – A New Season Begins in Loch Ness

We’re absolutely delighted to be reopening this year and even more excited to welcome everyone back to our corner of Loch Ness, just outside Inverness. It’s been a busy and heartwarming time for us, and our fold of Highland cows — or Highland cattle, as they’re traditionally known — has grown wonderfully. We’re now home to over 20, with 20 currently enjoying life out at the park for visitors exploring the NC500 route.

Back at the farm, things are a little quieter but just as special. Old Granny has officially retired, as she found meeting the public a bit overwhelming. She’ll now enjoy a peaceful and well-earned retirement surrounded by the calm of the Highland countryside. Alongside her is Lady Mona, who is due to calf soon, so she’s staying close to home for now too.

Old Granny has also had her final calf here at the farm — a lovely wee heifer who is now about a year and a half old and ready to leave her mum and join the fold of Highland cattle at Loch Ness. Her name has caused a bit of debate! Donald the farmer wasn’t entirely convinced, but we couldn’t resist calling her Wee Granny. She’s full of personality — sassy, inquisitive, and already showing signs of becoming the next Skye (our famously groomable Highland cow diva) in the making.

Seamus, our youngest fluffy Highland calf, born in September 2025, enjoying life near Loch Ness — a gentle and friendly member of our Highland cattle fold near Inverness.

Meanwhile, there’s been even more excitement at the farm near Inverness with new arrivals from Mhairi Bhan and Iona. To add a bit of fun (and confusion), the Farm Ness team decided to name both calves… James! Iona’s wee lad goes by the Irish Gaelic Seamus, while Mhairi Bhan’s calf is the Scottish Gaelic Hamish. Poor Donald has given up trying to explain it all on tours — especially to visitors travelling the NC500 — and simply tells everyone they’re both called James!

Personality-wise, the boys couldn’t be more different. Hamish takes after his mum — a fiery little Highland cow troublemaker already keeping everyone on their toes. Seamus, on the other hand, is calm and gentle like Iona, and always happy to come over for a pat, making him a favourite with visitors to our Highland cattle experience near Loch Ness.

Out in the park, you’ll also spot some familiar and much-loved faces including Felicity and her calf, alongside Jura, Isla and the ever-entertaining Jinty McGinty. Jinty has recently joined our grooming sessions, offering a truly memorable Highland cow experience in Inverness for those exploring Loch Ness and the NC500.

Jinty McGinty, a fluffy red Highland cow, relaxing during a grooming session with Farmer Donald on the banks of Loch Ness near Inverness — a popular NC500 stop for meeting Highland cattle up close.

That said, a wee word of warning… Jinty takes relaxation very seriously. When she’s enjoying a good brush, she can suddenly and dramatically plummet to the ground without a moment’s notice — often fast asleep before you know it, usually right on top of the farmer’s boots! It’s all part of the charm when meeting Highland cows up close.

We’ve also got Nellie and Snagglehorn out in one of our fields, and these two ladies are firm customer favourites. Both are incredibly intelligent — they’ve quickly learned to point towards the feeding pipe and will patiently (and very intently!) stare at visitors until the food makes its way down to them.

Snagglehorn, pictured below, is especially memorable. When she was wee, she knocked her horn, and it now grows in its own wonderfully unique direction — giving her that unmistakable name. She hails from one of the oldest Highland cattle herds in the world, Ley’s Castle, which is not open to the public. We’re absolutely delighted to have some of their prized fold here with us, giving our visitors a rare chance to meet these special Highland cows up close.

Snagglehorn the Highland cow with her distinctive horn, near Loch Ness Inverness.

It’s shaping up to be a fantastic season here at Loch Ness, full of character, charm, and plenty of laughs. Whether you’re visiting Inverness, travelling the NC500, or simply looking to meet Highland cattle in their natural Highland setting, we can’t wait for you to come and meet the fold — old favourites and new faces alike.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to welcoming you soon to Farm Ness, Loch Ness!