Strange

Flatulent cow keeps regular time

by cynthia yoo | December 16, 2007 at 09:40 am

1301 views | 14 Recommendations | 14 comments

Edinburgh is known for its Parliament, its great university and now its very own mechanical cow's backside that breaks wind, keeping punctual time.

The bovine backside has been attached to the side of the Rowan Tree pub in the city's historic Old Town.

It lifts its tail and shoots out a cloud of white smoke at passers-by throughout the day.

Pub landlord Norrie Rowan, a former Scotland international rugby star, said the cow was becoming as popular with tourists as nearby Greyfriars Bobby.

It was installed on the side of the pub earlier this year, but the mechanics that allow it to break wind at 1100 GMT, noon and 1300 GMT are a new addition.

A dry ice machine ensures the flatulent beast is regular and helps locals keep track of time in a similar way to the city's famous One O'clock Gun.

Mr Rowan said the cow was a bit of fun that had already become a popular landmark in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh.

He added: "The cow is already famous around Edinburgh and I get hundreds of tourists coming by and taking pictures of it."

4 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

woodstocktaylor

at 11:27 on December 16th, 2007

Some of the cows who visited Edinburgh for the parade seemed keen to sample all they could of the local culture and nightlife. This one was snapped leaving the Usher Hall and heading for the bright lights of Lothian Road.

woodstocktaylor has contributed a photo to this story.

ziggi_blue

at 11:38 on December 16th, 2007

Well who could visit Edinburgh during the cow parade and not take a shot of a bravehearted cow.

ziggi_blue has contributed a photo to this story.

cynthia yoo

at 11:35 on December 16th, 2007

I had no idea that Edinburgh celebrated their cows so extravagently! I had a great time looking through the many photos~~

cynthia yoo

at 11:54 on December 16th, 2007

Stef sent me this bit of info: "Hi, yes the cows where I live are very friendly and a bit noisy. Here is a link to the edinburgh cow parade, it was a while ago but some shops and pubs etc bought some so they are still around. http://edinburgh.cowparade.com/"

MB Dex

at 13:24 on December 16th, 2007

Cows near Crammond Beach, Edinburgh

MB Dex has contributed a photo to this story.

Jordan Yerman

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 14:25 on December 16th, 2007

Cows everywhere! The article started off with a flatulent cow sculpture, and now has grown to encompass all sorts of bovine installation imagery. Nice.

Rob Peters

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 14:42 on December 16th, 2007

Hot.

cynthia yoo

at 14:50 on December 16th, 2007

we should all be so hot....and regular

Paul Conneally

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 15:57 on December 16th, 2007

cynthia yoo, I like this story. It's good stuff. It got and gets better and better as all the extra cow stuff has been added - Milton Keynes and it's concrete cows is now in my mind too....