6 May 2008 - A moo-ving experience

Seventeen members walked in Pollok Park on Tuesday 22nd April. Before we started, Ross Elder, one of the Pollock House Guides, gave a brief talk about the House and the Park.

Our walk took us on a path beside the White Cart Water. We noticed a Highland cow seemingly stuck in the mud in the river with her obviously distressed calf nearby. Before we left the park, we contacted the stockman who lives in the park, and told him about he cow. The Evening Times next day took up the story...... "A total of 22 fire-fighters and 4 fire engines were needed to rescue a Highland cow. Park rangers raised the alarm after finding Karene, a 15 year old dun-coloured Highlander trapped in the river just after 8 pm last night.

Initially it looked a straight-forward, good old-fashioned rope trick rescue, but the weight of the creature made this impossible. Plan B, using a winch to pull her to safety was also a non-starter, so 2 fire engines from Renfrew were then called in, along with the unit’s swift water rescue unit. Eventually a 4-by-4 vehicle finally managed to get her to dry land after more than 2 hours.

A Pollock Fire Station spokesman said, ‘They got there in the end, but I haven’t heard how the clean-up operation went’.

Marilyn Muir, acting Park Manager said, ‘It looks like Karene might have gone to the river for a drink an ended up sinking into the soft mud. She is one of our matriarchs - old enough to know better! "

Elspeth Craig