This is why you can’t moo-ve for Highland cows right now

Highland cows are everywhere right now (Picture: Dunelm/Matalan/Metro) ‘There are more Highland cows in here than Scotland,’ my friend joked as we made our way around Next. It’s true that the high-street store has gone a bit Highland cow mad of late. Shoppers can buy toasters adorned with images of the shaggy-haired, long-horned animals, a £475 swivel chair shaped like one, and even Highland cow Christmas trees (you have to see it to believe it). So popular have Highland cows become that Next has created its very own character, Hamish, who has a dedicated section on the website. And it’s not just Next that’s dealing with an invasion of the Scottish cattle. Pop the words ‘Highland cow’ into the search bar on Dunelm’s website, and you’ll be greeted with 205 results. The story is similar at Matalan as well as George at Asda, and even John Lewis isn’t exempt, with dozens of items available to purchase. Next has its own Highland cow character, called Hamish (Picture: Next) Ready to start your homebuying journey? You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK’s leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won’t charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. It begs the question: What on Earth is going on with all the Highland cows? When I asked Next Home, they declined to comment, but interiors experts have some thoughts. Animal motifs have always been ‘in’ According to Interior Design Masters winner Lia Gold and fellow contestant/designer Jonni Knight, the trend isn’t all that surprising, as animal motifs have always had a place in design. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Think back a few years, and dachshunds were all the rage in 2019, with sausage dogs on cushions, mugs and more. Leopards have also had their moment, as have dolphins (we’re looking at your millennials), bees, sheep, foxes, and owls. Now, it’s the Highland cow’s turn, but who knows how long it will remain the obsession du jour. While Lia and Jonni admit the Highland cow isn’t something either of them would choose for their own homes, they understand why others might like them. You can get the animal on just about anything (Picture: Next) ‘We talk a lot about why certain interior trends take off on our podcast,’ the pair tell Metro. ‘Sometimes it’s nostalgia, sometimes it’s social media, and sometimes it’s simply that a trend makes a home feel warmer or more characterful. The Highland cow phenomenon is a perfect example of that.’ For some, the creatures also represent the fantasy of rural life, as we associate them with mystical-looking Scottish landscapes, lush wide open fields, and cosy cottages. This imagery fits perfectly with the cottagecore aesthetic that’s been popular over the last few years, which romanticises a more rural, slower way of living. For others, the cows can be a source of inspiration, traditionally seen as a symbol of resilience, able to survive Scotland’s rugged terrain and cold, wet weather. They’re also featured in many folktales and classic literature, and have deep roots in Scottish history, making them generally beloved. It helps too that they’re darn cute, fluffy, and, for the most part, pretty docile. People just want to give them a cuddle — and in some places, you actually can. Cuddle a Highland cow If you’re not satisfied with simply having a Highland cow biscuit tin, farms and animal sanctuaries up and down the UK offer cow cuddling sessions. There’s also Highland cow safaris in Scotland, and Highland cow yoga classes. Jen Howard-Coombes, the director of Almond Valley Heritage Centre in Livingston Village, Scotland, home to several Highland cows, thinks it’s the animal’s ‘cartoon-esque’ appearance that draws us to them. The creatures are very characterful (Picture: Matalan) ‘The striking horns, enormous tongues, shaggy coats and quirky cowlick fringes give them a character that feels larger than life. Their gentle and curious nature only adds to the appeal,’ she says. ‘They’ve somehow managed that rare feat of becoming incredibly familiar and unfamiliar. Most of us can conjure up an image of Highland cow even if we’ve never actually met one. But seeing one up close is an altogether different experience. ‘They’re huge animals, something that the cuddly toys, dish cloths and cushions don’t prepare you for, and yet there is something really disarming about them.’ She continues: ‘We see that reaction all the time at Almond Valley. Our Highland cows are firm favourites with our regular visitors, but there is magic in watching people experience them for the first time. They’re so cute (Picture: ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images) Something they’ve previously encountered in miniature form is suddenly right there, and they’re considerably bigger than expected. They’re distinctive and photogenic, but no amount of imagery quite captures the joy of actually meeting one.’ Stuart Hartley, a farmer and owner of Hartley’s Huts in Lancashire, a luxury glamping and log cabin retreat located on a family sheep farm. He has witnessed how the obsession with Highland cows has grown first-hand. He has seven of the fuzzy animals on his farm and says since advertising this, business has been booming. ‘We’ve had Highland cows on the farm for 20 years, but since we’ve started making a bit more of a thing of them we’ve had more guest interactions. They definitely do make a difference to guests wanting to come. Do you own any Highland cow decor? Sign up to Metro’s The Key newsletter for must-read property stories, DIY hacks and tips for buying a home. ‘They cows have become so much more popular in the last two years, and we’re getting return visitors now too. One couple has visited four times just for the cows.’ Unsurprisingly, it’s all proved too much for some. Highland cow fatigue Caroline Daniels said on TikTok: ‘I love Highland cow stuff but now it’s been over done. I’ve got Highland cow fatigue. It’s been ruined!’ Others have branded it ‘insanity’ and ‘scary’, and joked that Highland cows are the ‘hot honey’ of the homeware world. Despite this, it doesn’t seem like Highland cows are going anywhere anytime soon, especially at Next. The Hamish collection is as in-demand as ever, according to an anoynmous employee on social media, who claims they sell items from the range every day. ‘I work in Next Home. At least once an hour someone buys a Highland cow thing,’ they shared. Be careful with Highland cows Yes, they look cute and cuddly, but you should still be careful. They are strong creatures with very sharp horns, who can get very protective – especially when there are calves around. Keep a safe distance and don’t try to touch or feed them without permission and instructions from their owner. Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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