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Aviemore's little Heilan' coo needs a little healin'





Herd the news?

The Highland cow stabled beside Aviemore Station is looking a little too shaggy.

The horns of a dilemma: the popular beast has clearly been a little too irresistible for some young riders.
The horns of a dilemma: the popular beast has clearly been a little too irresistible for some young riders.

The Strathy has been asked if vandals have been giving it a hairy time.

But we have been reassured that it's more likely just 'wear and tear', out there braving the elements.

"We'll be having the artist out there any day now to check it over and do a little grooming," said Jenna Hayden, fund-raising officer at the Highland Hospice, which currently has quite a herd of the animals roaming the region.

The hospice released its udderly brilliant 'family' earlier this year.

Coo! He's missing some bits...
Coo! He's missing some bits...

There are10 in the Highland capital and a dozen others grazing in each town where the charity has a shop, including Grantown and Aviemore.

“They were all individually painted by local artists and will roam across the Highlands until August 21," Jenna explained.

Each has been kindly sponsored by a local business, and artists have given up their time and materials free of charge for the community art project.

Saddle sore: there's been some hard riding here.
Saddle sore: there's been some hard riding here.

“Each coo will be auctioned off at the end of the trail in September to raise vital funds for Highland Hospice,” she added."

Meanwhile, each one is sponsored and also carries a link to a just giving page.

The hospice joined forces with local wildlife sculptor Scott Gleed to create the beasts, all of whom are magnificently decorated.

"But the weather takes its toll and, of course, there are those who simply can't resist the temptation to have a little ride. So here and there bits get knocked and we're just about to come and do a little restoration work."

Visitors and locals are still being encouraged to take part in a scavenger hunt with mini-coos hidden inside each of the 14 shops and two cafés. It follows a similar art trail featuring squirrel sculptures in 2019.

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