No holiday picture or album of Scotland is complete without a photograph of a hairy Highland cow. They are as much a recognised tourist symbol of Scotland as tartan, heather, kilts and bagpipes. These cows are formidable looking beasts, yet they are known to be peaceful, content and docile. We were fortunate to be able to take snaps of one that was sleeping blissfully in a field a few miles from Applecross. A signboard next to the field said his name was Hamish and that he was 15 years old. Our driver told us that he had once been invited to the inauguration of a superstore as the ‘chief guest’. Sadly, he ate the ribbon after it had been cut!

If you want to take a Highland cow or two home with you to graze the lawn, you can get one at the main markets at Oban in the months of February and October. But be prepared to dig deep into your bank account. A good pedigree Highland bull reportedly costs in the region of £10,000 while a ‘hairy Heilan coo’ may set you back by £5,000.

I decided against getting a Highland cow, but after the feast for the eyes, my stomach wanted pampering. Last stop: a fantastic dinner of grilled salmon rolls at the Isle of Skye under a startlingly pure, pale blue sky.