Kilts, Kith & Kin: Highland Cows and a Ten Mile Walk

October 21, 2016

We woke up late today and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast of egg and cheese croissants before heading out for our adventure of the day. Upon leaving the cottage, we were met by a man in scrunchy yellow wellies who was out searching for their peahen. We told him we were about to leave on a walk, and he asked us if we were wanting to see the Gylen Castle. He said it’s a must see, so we asked him which was the best way to get to it. We had remembered Isla and Loui’s (the couple who owns the cottage we’re staying at) directions from the night before- they told us to always keep the sea on our left and we wouldn’t get lost. They live near the northern tip of the island, and the castle is on the southern end. But the man in yellow wellies told us to definitely not go that way, that it would be way too difficult and marshy for us. He sized us up and decided we weren’t made of much, nor were our boots. So we headed off in the direction he told us, with the sea at our right.

Even though we felt like we were going the wrong direction, we assumed he must have known what he was talking about, and the view in front of us was stunning so we kept on walking. The track continually curved around the next bend, leading us onward. We met a bunch of rather adorable sheep along the way who were willing to pose to have their pictures taken.

Next up were the highland cows! They were every bit as cute and hairy as I hoped they would be. Most of them were hunkered down in the boggy field and looked as lazy as could be, so we chanced walking close to them, having no idea whether highland cows with their large horns are friendly or not. They didn’t seem to mind us walking closer until I got a little too close to the mama and her baby. She snorted loudly at me, creating a warm cloud around her muzzle in the cool air. I didn’t get to pet a highland cow today, but I did get to take lots of pictures!