The Highland cow has been named the nation’s favourite native species in a World Cup of Scottish animals.
The beloved breed held off competition from 31 other animals and insects from land, sea and air to take the top spot in the online event, drawing attention to species in need of protection.
The Highland cow took 56 percent of the vote against the red squirrel in the final round of the 10-week competition, hosted on social media by the National Trust for Scotland.
More than 86,000 votes were cast across the competition in head-to-head polls, with the otter, Highland cow, red squirrel, and Scottish wildcat reaching the semi-finals.
It marks the second time the conservation charity has run the contest following a successful debut in 2020, where the otter was crowned champion ahead of the Scottish wildcat.
The Trust said it was a fun opportunity to tie into the FIFA World Cup, but also help shine a light on the species and habitats in its care, and its Plan for Nature.
Launched by the charity in 2024, the plan makes clear the six priority habitats and 26 priority species in which it will focus efforts to help nature flourish across its 76,000-hectare estate.
These species range from the much-loved puffin to the Ampedus Tristis, an obscure click beetle.
The Highland cow has been named the nation’s favourite native species in a World Cup of Scottish animals
The Highland cow took 56 percent of the vote against the red squirrel in the final round of the competition
The otter was previously crowned champion in the 2020 Animal World Cup
The Animal World Cup featured creatures from the basking shark to the Highland midge as well as Scotland’s ‘Big Five’ – the otter, golden eagle, red deer, red squirrel and harbour seal.
The Highland cow saw off the adder, corncrake, Atlantic puffin and otter, before defeating the red squirrel in the final.
Jeff Waddell, the National Trust for Scotland’s Head of Nature Conservation, said: ‘From the incredible seabird colonies of St Kilda to several of the highest mountains in Scotland, the Trust cares for much more nature than many people realise.
‘We have been leading the way on nature conservation for decades, carrying out pioneering work to regenerate and restore habitats, but nature needs to be protected now more than ever.
‘While we are spurred on to protect the many habitats and species in alarming decline, we also know that nature conservation has many positive impacts on our wellbeing, something that is a key part of our objective as a charity that shares Scotland’s special places with the world.
The harbour seal – part of Scotland’s ‘big five’ – also featured in the competition
The golden eagle scored highly but missed out on the top spots in this year’s competition
The Pine Marten also featured in this year’s Animal World Cup in Scotland
The Scottish wildcat is a popular species and always scores points in the competition
‘The Scottish Animal World Cup may be a light-hearted competition for social media, but it’s also an important way to engage with people and remind them that these species are worth protecting.
‘We chose a variety of animals and insects representing both the Plan for Nature, and some of Scotland’s most recognised and beloved creatures.
‘It’s been great to see so much interest across our channels with tens of thousands voting in the polls, and we’re happy the Highland cow has been declared the winner.
‘While Highland cows are not one of the 26 priority species in our Plan for Nature, they play an important role in conservation grazing and contribute to our habitat management plans, so it is a very worthy victor.’
