Pentland Hills & Highland Cows guided walks near Edinburgh

Join us for an unforgettable hill walk just outside Edinburgh, exploring the beautiful Pentland Hills & meeting Scotland’s iconic Highland cows. This guided walk takes you through rolling hills with panoramic views across Edinburgh, including the Castle, Arthur’s Seat, and the distant Forth bridges. The highlight is meeting the famous Highland cows — with their shaggy coats and long horns — a truly special and photogenic experience. Even I still get excited seeing them — and I’ve seen them 100s of times! After meeting at the golf club bus stop at Lothianburn, we follow off-road paths and ascend at a relaxed pace to the summit of Caerketton for stunning views. We then continue along the broad ridge towards Allermuir Hill, keeping watch for the Highland cows. Depending on their location, we may spot them on the hills or descend to Swanston village, where they can be seen near the farm. From there, we follow an easy track back. If you’d like to extend your visit, you can stop at the Swanston Brasserie, with simple directions provided to return. Your guide, Andrew Paul, is a qualified and experienced mountain leader based in Edinburgh, ensuring a safe, enjoyable & memorable experience.