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The “perfect photo” is a constant chase for most photographers. My eye is constantly drawn to the interplay of light, expressions, and connections, forever searching for the ideal angle to capture a scene. Even family vacations become photographic expeditions. This past summer, I documented the majestic Glenfinnan Viaduct as a train snaked across its span, the vibrant energy of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and the pure joy of my children dancing near the historic Castle Fraser. We even embarked on a playful Loch Ness monster hunt near Urquhart Castle, forever etching these memories into captivating frames.

We hired Natalia Swiader to capture our family while exploring Circus Lane and Dean Village in Edinburgh. 

During our time in Scotland, I scanned the rolling hills, yearning to capture the quintessential Scottish symbol: the magnificent Highland cow. These majestic creatures, with their shaggy bangs framing their eyes and impressive horns, are a photographer’s dream subject. Throughout our drives, I spotted countless herds, but they were invariably confined by fences, keeping me a frustrating distance from my ideal shot. Despite my best efforts, the ‘perfect photo’ remained tantalizingly out of reach. But as we drove across the Isle of Mull, heading towards the ferry to Iona, a sliver of hope emerged. There they were! Grazing serenely on a field nestled between the road and seaside – a whole herd of free-range Highland cows! A photographer’s dream come true, a scene ripped straight from my imagination. Here, finally, was my chance to capture the essence of these magnificent animals.

Resisting the urge to rush in (after all, even friendly cows are big!), we cautiously approached the herd, keeping a safe distance and observing their body language. Thankfully, they seemed unbothered by our presence, allowing me to capture some truly amazing photos. It was an experience beyond thrilling!

I kept wanting to get closer and closer. Soon I focused in on one huge, beautiful auburn colored cow.  He seemed like a family friendly cow so my children entered the field and got a few pictures and videos too. This unforgettable encounter became a family effort, though my husband, ever the pragmatist, enjoyed the spectacle from the secure vantage point along the road!

I captured a few great shots that I will always treasure from our family vacation in Scotland! I can’t believe we happened upon a field of highlander cows in their beautiful, natural habitat! I didn’t realize how close we were until I printed a huge black and white print and I saw the pores on his skin! That’s also when I noticed just how long his horns are. After I shared a couple of images on Instagram, several people contacted me wanting to buy a copy. It was at this point that my children and I decided that he needed a name, so we named this guy, Argyle!

My husband surprised me with a photo that captured a different perspective. It almost looked like another cow was keeping a watchful eye on us! (Maybe he was just offering Argyle some backup, in case we turned out to be less friendly than our cameras suggested!) More likely, he were simply curious about these strange creatures. Thankfully, after this encounter, it was time to hit the road and continue our Scottish adventure on the Isle of Iona!

Check out our family’s favorite Scottish recipes.

Have you ever seen a more majestic creature? Share your thoughts on this gentle giant in the comments below!