Happy Coosday: Highland Cow Photography Tips for Autumn

September 29, 2026

It is Tuesday, which in Scotland means it is #Coosday. Because the day is all about coos (the Scots word for cows), we have put together a few simple Highland cow photography tips to help you get a better shot. Meanwhile, Angus and Winston still have no idea how famous their breed has become.

How #Coosday became a Scottish tradition

#Coosday started as a simple weekly post from VisitScotland. Over time, it grew into one of the longest-running tourism campaigns in Britain. In fact, VisitScotland marked ten years of the campaign, and by then some posts were reaching over three million people around the world, as The Highland Times reported. If you have ever wondered why your feed fills up with cattle every Tuesday, VisitScotland’s own guide explains it well.

The campaign has also had real effects. For example, The Times has reported that creators now travel just to film Highland cattle. Similarly, The Herald has covered the rising number of visitors who want to see the breed in person.

Highland cow photography: how to get the shot

Most coo photos are taken standing up, at midday, from twenty metres away. As a result, they all look the same. However, good Highland cow photography is mostly about patience and light, so a few small changes make a big difference.

  1. Get low. First, crouch down to their eye level. That way, you avoid looking down on them, and the horns rise above the horizon. In our experience, this one change improves more photos than anything else.
  2. Shoot into the light. Late September and October bring low, warm sun in the morning and evening. So, put the sun behind the coo. The shaggy fringe, known as the dossan, will then light up like a halo.
  3. Wait for the head turn. Highland cattle graze with their heads down. Therefore, stand still and be patient. Eventually, one of them will look straight at you. That is the frame, and everything before it is just a warm-up.
  4. Include the place. A coo against a plain field could be anywhere. In contrast, a coo with the Galloway hills, sea mist or an autumn hedge behind it is clearly Scotland.
  5. Use portrait mode, but check the horns. Phone portrait modes often blur the tips of the horns. For this reason, take one photo with portrait mode and one without.

The simple rules of Highland cow photography

Good Highland cow photography starts with respect for the animals. So, before you head into the field, keep these in mind:

  • No food for photos. Feed them calmly from your kit, but never use food to set up a shot.
  • No flash. It sounds obvious, but people still forget.
  • Stay on the safe side of the fence. Every time.
  • Keep dogs on leads. See our dog-friendly guidance for more.
  • Tag us. We share guest photos of the coos often, and some of them are better than ours.

Where to try Highland cow photography near Portpatrick

Angus and Winston are two-year-old Highland cattle. They live in the fields around our six design-led lodges and geodomes, five minutes from Portpatrick on the Rhins of Galloway. Every lodge also includes a cow care kit, so you can brush and feed them yourself. Better still, their coats grow thicker from now through winter, which makes this the best time of year for Highland cow photography.

After your photos, you could walk the coast path to Dunskey Castle or visit the Mull of Galloway lighthouse. Then, end the day with an evening in the Wild Wellness Spa. You will find more ideas in our things to do guide.

Happy Coosday

Come and meet Angus and Winston at Coorie Retreats, and get the shot yourself. Check availability.

Sources

Coorie Retreats, Portpatrick