A true haven near the city for those who want to stay, work or unwind closer to nature.
Highland Cows
Highland Cows
To find our wild Highland Cows on our hills, please download the information leaflet and map here.
Three of our Highland Cows (Thelma, Louise and Haggis!) are located just a short 3-4 minute walk from our farm restaurant, Swanston Brasserie:
Visitors to Swanston Farm are able to see the rest of our herd of Highland Cows if they are prepared to take a hike up the hill! Please be aware that our Highland Cows graze 300 acres of hill land above the farm and can be found anywhere in this area – there is no guarantee that you will find them as they can sometimes hide away in bad weather in sheltered nooks on the hills – or on very hot days they will mostly be at the highest points of the hills, where the air is coolest (this is climb is from 815ft/248m AMSL up to 1474ft/450m AMSL!).
For those prepared to walk the extra distance to see the rest of our herd of Highland Cows, we recommend sturdy trainers or preferably walking boots, along with appropriate clothing for the weather conditions before venturing out up the slopes at the bases of Caerketton Hill and Allermuir Hill of the Pentland Hills Regional Park. You can sometimes get quite close to our Highland Cattle – enough to take good photographs – however as they are wild, they are not used to humans touching them, so we request that you don’t try to cuddle or stroke them! Please keep dogs under strict control around them and avoid startling the cattle. You can download our leaflet about our Highland Cows which tells you where to find them, shows a map with a recommended walking route and some interesting facts about our herd. Please do not feed our cattle anything – cows have a very sensitive digestive system and can get extremely ill if fed foodstuffs not designed for cattle. Please respect the countryside and our farm and ensure that you take your litter home.
For more reading about Highland Cattle, take a look at the Highland Cattle Society.
Filming and Photo Shoots with our Cattle
If you, your TV/film production company or fashion house is interested in using our cattle for filming or fashion shoots, please contact us in the office via email or via telephone on 0131 445 2239 (option 3).
Watch the VisitScotland video campaign #ComeAlongScotland featuring our Highland Cattle here.
Fashion on the Farm!
In the Summer of 2018 we welcomed 2 male models, Glen Power at SUPA Model Management and Richard Keep (Actor & Model) at Scoop Models, photographer Simon Lipman, stylist Hannah Beck and make-up artist Oscar Alexander to Swanston Farm as part of their trip to Scotland from London, to photograph a range of clothing for South China Morning Post‘s Magazine, ‘Style’.
Our Farm Team worked alongside their Fashion Team with some of our animals, including our Highland Cows, Sheep and Horses.
You can take a look at the results in the online Style article by Chief Editor Jacqueline Tsang here.
You can also see further images on the website of the Stylist, Hannah Beck here.
Gallery of our Coos (click on images to enlarge):
HIGHLAND COW GIFTS
Our Swanston Farm Highland Cows have a huge following all over the world and visitors to Edinburgh can take a self-guided walk up our hills to go ‘Coo Hunting’ and see if they can spot our Hairy Coos!
We have a wonderful range of Highland Cow gifts available to purchase from Swanston Brasserie, all designed and made in Scotland and the perfect size for fitting in to your luggage to take home your momento of Scotland’s most beloved animal.
Head on up to Swanston Brasserie where you can take a look at our full range on display in the foyer, then make your way upstairs where you can make your purchases over the bar.
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- Oak coasters
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- Whisky Stones and linen coaster
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- Whisky Stones
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- Whisky stones in display box
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- Whisky stones
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- Slate table runner
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- Slate table runner
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- Slate cheese board & knife set
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- Slate cheese board & knife set
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- Slate cheese board & knife set
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- Scented Soy Wax Candle
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- Scented Soy Wax Candle
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- Scented Soy Wax Candle
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- Oak tray with handles
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- Oak tray with handles
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- Oak tray with handles
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- Oak serving board
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- Oak serving board
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- Oak paddle
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- Oak paddle
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- Oak paddle
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- Oak paddle
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- Oak hanging paddle
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- Oak hanging paddle
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- Oak hanging paddle
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- Linen tea towel
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- Linen tea towel
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- Linen table runner
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- Linen table runner
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- Linen table runner
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- Leather hip flask
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- Leather hip flask
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- Blue butter dish
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- Blue butter dish
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- Blue butter dish
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- 4 Linen napkins
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- 4 Linen napkins
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- 4 Linen napkins
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- 4 linen coasters
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- 4 linen coasters
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- 4 linen coasters
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- Linen apron
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- Linen apron
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- Linen apron
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- Linen apron
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- Linen apron
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- 2 Oak coasters
Enjoy fantastic food and drink whilst taking in the panoramic views from our accessible, family-friendly farm eatery, Swanston Brasserie. Walkers and wellies also welcome!
Peaceful and cosy 4 star rated, dog-friendly self-catering holiday cottages, right on the edge of Edinburgh.
High quality converted farm steading buildings, within minutes of Edinburgh Airport, Edinburgh City Centre and the City Bypass.
DIY livery yard with unlimited countryside riding for horse owners.
Home to 700 acres of farmland, hill walking and stunning views of Edinburgh.
Golfing for members and non-members on the edge of the Pentland Hills.
STORAGE FACILITIES
Swanston Farm is able to offer a range of storage solutions for businesses and individuals.
For all enquiries, please contact us at: mail@swanston.co.uk
A range of storage facilities for short and long-term requirements.
DOG DAY CARE
Swanston Farm is home to 2 independent Dog Day Care centres, Citidogs Creche and Sociable Hounds.
Both companies offer secure day-care facilities during weekdays (Monday to Friday) and can be contacted directly via their websites as follows:
Citidogs Creche
Sociable Hounds
Please note that Swanston Farm does not own, manage or run the dog day care centres – they are privately owned and all enquiries must be made directly with the companies themselves.
Home to 2 dog day-care centres on the edge of central Edinburgh.
SCHOOLS & COMMUNITY
Schools, Community & Military Groups.
We work with a number of schools and community groups here at Swanston Farm, providing opportunities and space for outdoor learning and wellbeing for children and adults. This includes facilitating visits for children and adults with special educational needs or disabilities, working closely with the Support for Learning and Wellbeing teachers, support workers, Wellbeing and Welfare Officers. All visits are available during weekdays only, between 9.30am and 4pm.
There is no charge for Schools, SEN groups, Accessibility groups or Military/Veteran groups.
Examples of visits:
- Farm Tour – 90 minutes, for school groups of up to 10 (plus staff helpers). This includes visiting a select group of animals on the farm, including our egg-laying hens, our goats and Highland Cows. Your guide will provide facts and learning throughout the visit, with opportunities to interact with the animals to suit the group. Suitable for Nursery, Primary and Secondary pupils.
- Tactile Farm Tour – for visitors with Vision Impairment – 90 minutes, for groups of up to 10. Suitable for all ages. This includes visiting a selection of animals on the farm, including our egg-laying hens, our goats and Highland Cows. Your guide is a trained Sighted Guide and will provide facts and learning throughout the visit, with opportunities to interact with the animals to suit the individuals in the group. Guide dogs, sighted guides and canes all welcome.
- Outdoor Learning for Schools – Full (6hrs) or Half (3hrs) days available – for groups up to 35 (plus staff helpers). Learning Days are for school groups and are tailored to provide a variety of outdoor learning, including wildlife, biodiversity, quizzes and lots of exercise! Suitable for Primary/Year 4-6 or Secondary/High School pupils.
- Wellbeing & Nurture – Tailored specifically for children and adults who would benefit from respite time in the outdoors. These visits can incorporate exercise, learning and some interactions with animals, led by an experienced guide. Each session is bespoke, to suit the individuals/group. Available for a single person (carers/companion/support teacher must also be in attendance) or groups of up to 10 (plus carers/companions/support teachers). Assistance dogs welcome.
- Headspace Hikes – specifically for serving military personnel, military veterans and military families, these hikes can be tailored to short or long walks/hikes with a variety of terrain to suit individuals. Led by an experienced guide, these are available for a single person or groups up to 15 (plus companions). Assistance dogs welcome. Self-guided walking routes also available. Farm tour options also available.
For all visits, please email us at: mail@swanston.co.uk
Job, Education and Training (JET) Programme.
Swanston Farm has provided opportunities for pupils in Edinburgh as part of the JET Programme. This is a work-based learning programme for pupils in the senior phase of high school. It combines school education with vocational training and real life work experience.
Pupils will
- work towards a national qualification in employability as well as their national 4s and 5s
- have a full day’s work experience placement each Friday from September to April.
Speak to your deputy head or guidance teacher if you want to take part in JET.
Schools or teachers wishing to enquire about pupil opportunities as part of the JET Programme at Swanston Farm, please email us at: mail@swanston.co.uk.
The perfect rural setting for school and community groups to enjoy the outdoors.
GET MARRIED AT SWANSTON
If your dream is to have your wedding in countryside surroundings, or with a golf or farm theme, then Swanston might just be the venue for you. Perhaps we can help start your Happily Ever After…
If you’d like to consider getting married at Swanston Brasserie, take a look at our wedding brochure here.
When planning your marriage in Scotland, your starting point should be the National Records of Scotland website where you can read and download information and forms that you need to get the ball rolling.
Here you can also find information on the following:
Getting married in Scotland – how do I go about it?
Changing your civil partnership into a marriage – how do I go about it?
Marriage in Scotland – what would you pay?
Information leaflet RM1 – Marriage in Scotland
Form for Witness Details – if you have chosen your witnesses
What form does a marriage ceremony take in Scotland?
News on same sex marriage in Scotland
Directory of Registrars in Scotland
Contact Points for further information:
Please write to, phone or visit New Register House.
You can contact their marriage preliminaries section:
National Records of Scotland
Marriage Section
Room 38
New Register House
3 West Register Street
Edinburgh
EH1 3YT
Email: marriage@nrscotland.gov.uk
Telephone for National Records of Scotland: 0131 314 4447
“Look up, towards the hills and there you will find what you are looking for. You’ll find it at Swanston Farm.”
