If you have traveled through the Scottish Highlands, you probably already know the Highland cows, a type of calf native to the extreme north of the British Isles, which can now be seen in the mountains of Madrid.
Long hair, round face and big horns: the Highland cattle, or Scottish cows, are a tourist attraction in their land of origin for their beauty, knowing this, El Capriolo Agroturismo (Travesía Mayor, 17, Garganta de los Montes) has brought some specimens to the Community of Madrid. In this environment, at an altitude of 1,134 m, the climate during most of the year is similar to that of Scotland, which has made it easy for them to adapt to the area and they have even managed to have offspring in their new home.
How to see the Scottish cows one hour from Madrid
El Capriolo is a complex that combines rural lodgings and extensive cattle raising. Mainly, they have Charolais cows, originally from France, to which they have now added the highland cows that have been so popular in their social media videos. They also have a farm with goats, rabbits and donkeys that live in semi-freedom in the Sierra Norte de Madrid.
Their general approach is participatory and educational, with workshops and activities designed to bring nature closer to the little ones in the house. They also offer routes in which they teach how to distinguish traces and tracks of wild animals, and they have an organic vegetable garden.
The best places to connect with nature close to Madrid.
From the emblematic Pedriza Regional Park, with its cliffs and walls ideal for climbing and hiking, to waterfalls such as Chorrera de los Litueros, the highest in the Community, or reservoirs such as El Atazar, known as the ‘sea of Madrid’, nature is one of the great attractions of the region.
The Sierra Norte stands out for its forests, hiking trails and places like the Puerto de Canencia or the Fuenfría Valley, with Roman roads and natural pools. In addition, areas such as the Peñalara Natural Park and its glacial lagoons, or the Finnish forest in Rascafría, offer unique landscapes to explore just a few kilometers from the capital.
These places are ideal for day or weekend getaways, combining nature, history and outdoor sports, with options for all levels and tastes.