An Udderly Amazing Day: Highland Cow Drawing

There are worse ways to spend a sunny afternoon in St Andrews than lounging in a field sketching Highland cows. 

A joint trip between the Art Society and the Highland Cow Society took a group of us just outside of town to Kinkell Byre, a venue many students recognise for its events but far fewer have experienced in daylight, let alone as part of a rewilding project. We were greeted by members of both societies and, most notably, Highland Cow Society committee member Finn Murray, whose enthusiasm for the land — and its residents — set the tone for the day.

Before long, we were introduced to two of the farm’s more imposing figures: Findlay and Shortbread, the resident Highland cows. Despite their size, they seemed almost indifferent to our presence, far more interested in grazing than posing for the influx of students. As Finn explained, this grazing is precisely the point. The cows are part of a broader rewilding initiative, working to break up the dominance of grass and allow a more diverse range of plant life to emerge. It’s a slow transformation, but one that promises to restore the land to something closer to its natural state, encouraging biodiversity and eventually more wildlife.

It’s hard to imagine that the same land once functioned as an apple orchard. Now functioning as an events venue that many students have had a drunken encounter with — perhaps not even knowing there were Highland cows in their midst. Kinkell Byre, tucked less than ten minutes away from the town centre, feels worlds away, and on the day we visited, it was almost offensively picturesque.

After our introductions to the show and the land, the focus shifted — fittingly — to art. We were welcomed into Kinkell Studios by Milla, who introduced us to the studio’s ethos: creating work that is deeply connected to the surrounding environment. Offering a range of courses and workshops, the space felt less like a traditional studio and more like an extension of the landscape itself.

Armed with sketchbooks, watercolours, and varying degrees of artistic confidence, we headed back outside. This time, our subjects were Ginger and Coco, two Highland cows who proved far more cooperative muses than their male counterparts — holding poses that felt statuesque. The Art Society provided materials, and I situated myself with my watercolour set (I came prepared) with a full view of the cows, the vast sea creating their backdrop. 

There is something disarmingly peaceful about painting outdoors, especially in a setting like this. With the sun out, the breeze just noticeable, and cows quietly grazing in the background, it was easy to forget about the looming deadlines or usual St Andrews routine. Around me, members of both societies seemed equally absorbed, whether sketching, chatting, or simply taking in the surroundings.

Credit is certainly due to the Highland Cow Society, a newly formed addition to the St Andrews roster, which initiated the collaboration. For a society in its first year, the event felt remarkably well-organised and thoughtfully put together. With one more event planned for the end of the academic year, they’ve set a strong precedent, and it’s worth keeping an eye out for what they do next.

The day ended on an unexpectedly charming note: a lift back to town in a classic Land Rover, courtesy of Rory Fyfe, who somehow managed to fit an impressive number of us into the car before dropping us off on South Street.

All in all, it was one of those rare university events that manages to feel genuinely thought-through rather than just well-attended. It was also my first time seeing Highland cows up close — not as a postcard cliche, but as a part of a working and evolving landscape. Whilst I’ve never been to an event by either society before, this collaboration made a strong case for both — an unlikely pairing on paper, maybe, but one that worked better than more standalone events manage to.

Photos by Natalie Contini