Scotland's Gleneagles estate has launched a Highland cow 'safari', allowing guests to get up close with one of Scotland's most beloved native animals. Olivia Palamountain reports

Scottish estate and hotel Gleneagles has launched an off-road adventure that will take visitors into the Perthshire hills  for face-to-face encounters with distinctive long-haired Highland cattle, affectionately known as "coos."

Guests will hop aboard a fleet of the estate's Land Rover Defenders with an expert guide who will share insights into the history and lives of the iconic breed.

The experience promises "breathtaking views, charming wildlife, and plenty of picture-perfect moments" as guests journey through farmsteads and up into the Ochil Hills. The Highland cow safari is one of several new adventures being introduced in 2025, as Gleneagles enters its second century as one of Scotland's premier sporting estates.

For something more adrenaline-fuelled, the hotel is launching a new Munro off-road adventure, named after Scotland's highest peaks.

Participants will navigate "steep hills, rocky tracks, and breath-taking vistas across the Perthshire Highlands" in powerful 4x4 vehicles under the guidance of expert instructors.Cyclists can join the third Perthshire Peloton weekend from April 25-27 , hosted by Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy. The two-night experience includes rides through the countryside, with a centrepiece 115km journey taking in the Dukes Pass with a total elevation of 2,147ft.

May will see the return of "The Great Adventure Race" (May 16-18 ), offering participants a choice between a 55km Classic route or the more challenging 100km Centenary Challenge, combining canoeing, trail running and cycling.Gleneagles also offers guided Atlantic salmon fishing on the River Tay from January to October, where guests can learn Spey casting techniques and river reading skills.

In 2024, the estate introduced an upgraded Sporting Club, designed to appeal to "a new generation of active travellers", featuring three padel courts and a seven-metre-high indoor climbing wall, along with a boutique selling retro-inspired sportswear.