Celebrating the role of cows in ecology, culture and tradition
“Cows have always been an important part of our cultural and ecological landscape. We mustn’t forget them as we look to the future”
We’re a small group of farmers and cattle enthusiasts from across Scotland who have joined forces to celebrate the role of cows in ecology, culture and landscape.
We have big plans for 2026, but in the short term we’d like Cattle Folk to serve as a broad banner beneath which people can connect, share ideas and celebrate the role of cows in our landscape, not only in the past but for the future too.
Inspired by a trip to the Burren Winterage Festival in Co Clare in the autumn of 2024, Highland farmer and ecologist Richard Lockett was encouraged to explore old ways in cattlework, embracing everything from stories and songs to the most up-to-date science around sward management and biodiversity.
Reaching into Scotland’s history of droving, Richard walked ten of his own luing heifers through the wild and lonely mountain passes of Kintail and down into Glen Affric during the autumn of 2025.
We made a film of this journey, an adventure which saw the creation of Cattle Folk …
“We’re only just starting to understand how beneficial cattle can be for biodiversity”
Patrick Laurie
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