access and visitor information
Plan Your Visit to Kitchen Coos & Ewes
We would like everyone, whatever their ability, to enjoy our Highland coo experiences. We understand for some people with disabilities an outdoor adventure means a little more planning.
That’s why we’ve created a handy guide to help you plan your visit with confidence. It covers everything from our location and how to get here, to accessibility information, what to wear for the weather, and answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
plan ahead
Visits Must Be Booked in Advance
To make sure you don’t miss out, please book your visit in advance.
Our tours fill up quickly and we aren’t able to take walk-in visitors, so it’s best to secure your spot before you arrive!
Before Your Visit
To help you make the most of your visit to Kitchen Coos & Ewes, here are a few things to keep in mind before you set off.
Confirm Your Booking
To make sure you don’t miss out, please book your visit to Kitchen Coos & Ewes in advance. Our tours are popular and spaces are limited, so we aren’t able to accommodate walk-in visitors.
We kindly ask that all guests have a confirmed booking before arriving at the farm. This helps us prepare for your visit and ensures you get the best possible experience. Be sure to secure your spot ahead of time – we’d hate for you to have a wasted journey!
Please plan to arrive before your tour time. A staff member will be present before the start time of every tour. They will be pleased to welcome you and check you in before your experience begins.
Getting Here
First, please make sure you know where you’re going — we’re tucked away in the beautiful Galloway countryside and recommend checking our Location and Directions page before you travel. Public transport is available but most visitors arrive by car.
What to Wear
We recommend checking the weather forecast before your visit. Tours go ahead in all weather, so it’s important to dress appropriately. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear — and if the forecast looks wet, bring a waterproof jacket and an extra pair of walking boots or wellies. Scottish weather can be unpredictable, so it’s always a good idea to bring some extra layers just in case!
A little preparation means you’ll be free to relax, meet our Highland coos, and enjoy your time on the farm, whatever the weather.
Opening Times
Our farm is open all year round, but please note that the farm is not open for casual drop-in visits.
All visits must be booked in advance as part of a guided tour. This helps us make sure your experience is safe, enjoyable and tailored to you, while also giving us time to care for the farm and animals.
Please plan to arrive a few minutes before your tour is scheduled to start. One of our guides will be here to check you in on arrival.
During Your Visit
We want your time at Kitchen Coos & Ewes to be as comfortable and enjoyable as possible – here’s everything you need to know about arriving at the farm and what to expect during your tour.
Arriving to Our Farm
When you arrive at Kitchen Coos & Ewes our farmyard/car park is a large area that can park up to a dozen cars or even larger vehicles like motorhomes. This area is made from firmly packed gravel which is on the level.
The farmyard/carpark joins seamlessly onto a block paviour area at the entrance to the toilets, gift shop and the ‘Auld Byre’ where refreshments are served when you return from the highland coo safaris. There is a small ramp into the gift shop that can be accessed by wheelchairs.
One of our friendly tour guides will be there to greet you and help you get ready for your visit.
During Your Visit
We want your time at Kitchen Coos & Ewes to be as comfortable and enjoyable as possible – here’s everything you need to know about arriving at the farm and what to expect during your tour.
Arriving to Our Farm
When you arrive at Kitchen Coos & Ewes our farmyard/car park is a large area that can park up to a dozen cars or even larger vehicles like motorhomes. This area is made from firmly packed gravel which is on the level.
The farmyard/carpark joins seamlessly onto a block paviour area at the entrance to the toilets, gift shop and the ‘Auld Byre’ where refreshments are served when you return from the highland coo safaris. There is a small ramp into the gift shop that can be accessed by wheelchairs.
One of our friendly tour guides will be there to greet you and help you get ready for your visit.
Our Coo Tours
Our Cream Tea Coo tour and our Insta Coo tour are both very accessible as everyone on board the safari trailer stays on the trailer for the entire duration of the safari.
Please note that during our Hands-on Coo tour everyone needs to be able negotiate four steps off and back onto the safari trailer to get their hands-on experience in the field.
Please also note that our Walking Tour is not suitable for wheelchair users as much of it is over uneven grassland.
On-site Facilities
To make sure you don’t miss out, please book your visit in advance.
Our tours fill up quickly and we aren’t able to take walk-in visitors, so it’s best to secure your spot before you arrive!
Toilets and Baby Changing Facilities
Access to our toilets is on the level. One toilet is fully accessible with a, higher than standard, pan height of 480mm. There is one grab rail next to the toilet with another rail that can be dropped down on the other side. There is also a small sink that can be reached from the toilet. The sink also has a grab rail on either side. A pull cord is fitted next to the toilet to raise the alarm if help is required.
On-site Parking
We have a spacious car park on-site with level, firm gravel, offering plenty of room for up to a dozen cars or larger vehicles like motorhomes.
Refreshments at the Auld Byre
All of our coo tours include homemade refreshments and bakes, freshly prepared in our farmhouse kitchen.
Enjoy a warm welcome with a selection of sweet treats and hot drinks as part of your experience. Each of our coo tours includes something a little different – find out more about what’s included on our individual tour pages.
Please note that we only serve refreshments and food in the Auld Byre as part of every pre booked experience. We do not have a cafe that is open to the public.
On-site Gift Shop
Take a little bit of Kitchen Coos & Ewes home with you.
Our onsite gift shop is compact and full to the brim with charming merchandise inspired by our Highland coos and friendly ewes – perfect for gifts or a keepsake from your visit. From cosy clothing and cuddly toys to mugs, magnets and more, there’s something for everyone to remember their time on the farm. Our on-site gift shop is only available to visitors that book our tours and many of the items are exclusive to Kitchen Coos & Ewes.
Our shop will be open 20 minutes before the start of every tour and for an hour at the end of every tour.
Accessibility
Accessing Our Trailer
Access to our safari trailer is along a block paviour path that is 40 metres long. It leads from the farmyard/car park to a long slow ramp (10 metres long) that leads directly onto our safari trailer. There are also three wheelchair anchor points down the middle of our trailer. The bench seating on our safari trailer is padded for extra comfort.
Accessing the Farm and Gift Shop
There is a small ramp into the gift shop that can be accessed by wheelchairs.
The farmyard/carpark joins seamlessly onto a block paviour area at the entrance to the toilets, gift shop and the ‘Auld Byre’.
Our Accessibility Policy
Find out more about our accessibility policy.
Questions & Answers
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, all well behaved dogs are welcome at our farm. However, for safety reasons, dogs cannot go on safari in the trailer or on the walking tour. Owners are very welcome to walk their dogs along our roadway before and after a tour.
Are your tours dog friendly?
Guide dogs are welcome in all cases except for our walking tour where the group walk towards untethered grazing cattle. Family pets are not allowed to travel in our safari trailers as they may alarm our Highland cattle when we get close to them.
What ages of children are the tours suitable for?
Our tours are suitable for all ages, and we will tailor our chat to the ages of our guests. There is no charge for guests aged two years and under. The youngest person we’ve had on tour so far was 8 weeks old, and we’ve also had a guest who was 92 years young on tour – he had a great time!
Are tours suitable for those with mobility problems?
Our trailer based tours are suitable for everyone. There are three wheelchair anchor points inside our large safari trailer which can be accessed by a purpose-built ramp at the farm.
Is the Auld Byre Cafe open to the public?
We do not have a cafe that is open to the public. We only serve refreshments and food in the Auld Byre after every pre booked experience.
Can I visit the Cafe before my tour?
We only serve refreshments and food in the Auld Byre after every pre booked tour experience. We do not have a cafe that is open to the public.
What is in the cream tea?
A selection of freshly made sandwiches and freshly baked oven scones with clotted cream and locally produced jams. There will also be a choice of home baking including farmhouse favourites, such as shortbread, lemon drizzle cake, millionaire shortbread, mint slice, rocky road, or empire biscuits. Freshly brewed coffee and tea or juice is also available.
How do I get to Kitchen Coos and Ewes?
You can find out more about our location here.
How do I redeem my gift card or gift certificate at the checkout?
Our gift cards and gift certificates can be redeemed online. For more information on how to redeem these online, please head to our Gift Vouchers page where you can find out more information and view our guide.
Do you cater for special dietary requirements?
Please make us aware of any food allergies or intolerances when you fill in the booking form as you go through the online checkout. We will then prepare freshly made treats to suit your dietary requirements. Gluten free and vegetarian options are of course available.
Are there any extra costs?
There is a small booking fee which is charged when you book through our online booking system.
What happens if the weather’s bad?
Your farm experience just gets better on a stormy day! Our Highland cows like the heat but they actually love stormy days even more! The farm tour trailer is designed for all weathers and so are our Highland cows and our ewes. Put on an extra layer and we’ll keep you dry. If the roads are too dangerous due to snow and ice, a full refund or a rescheduled date will be offered.
Are your tours suitable for pregnant women?
Information for pregnant women who may want to visit our farm can be found by clicking on this link:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/pregnant-women-lambing-season-advice/
Lambing season on our farm is from the 20th of February until the 30th of April.
Can I visit the Gift Shop before my tour starts?
Our on-site gift shop is only available to visitors that book our tours and many of the items are exclusive to Kitchen Coos & Ewes. Our shop will be open 20 minutes before the start of every tour and for an hour at the end of every tour.
How do I purchase a Gift Card or Gift Certificate for Kitchen Coos and Ewes?
We offer two types of vouchers – Gift Certificates for specific tours, and Gift Cards for a flexible value. You can purchase these and find out more about how to redeem these at the checkout on our Gift Vouchers page.
Is Kitchen Coos & Ewes open for drop in visits?
Unfortunately we are not open to drop-in visits, all of our tours and experiences must be pre booked in advance.
Will I see a baby Highland cow?
Yes, and at certain times of year you might even see a new-born Highland calf. Our Highland cows calve in March and April, so if you visit us in spring you’ll usually see some very cute little ones.
How early should I arrive for my tour?
A staff member will be present 20 minutes before the start time of every tour.
They will be pleased to welcome you and check you in before your experience begins.
What are your opening times?
Our farm is open all year round, but please note that the farm is not open for casual drop-in visits.
All visits must be booked in advance as part of a guided tour. This helps us make sure your experience is safe, enjoyable and tailored to you, while also giving us time to care for the farm and animals.
Guests will be greeted by their tour guide a few minutes before their tour time.
