Coco the deer and friends (Skipness Holiday Cottages)

VISITORS to a seafood restaurant in Kintyre have been met with a surprise dining companion – Coco the tame red deer.

The adopted fawn was taken in and raised by staff at the Skipness Seafood Cabin, joining a whole collection of animals including dogs, sheep, geese and ducks.

The pets wander freely around the picnic benches as customers eat their meals and take in the view of the nearby castle and across the water to Arran.

Emma Byatt, who has worked at the Cabin for around 10 years, said: “Coco was orphaned and someone basically dropped her off here and asked if we could look after her.

“We’d never raised a deer before but we’ve had plenty of pet lambs and calves before so we just treated her like one of them.”

Coco seemed happy to join the menagerie, and has even been known to give the dogs a hand in rounding up sheep.

“She thinks she’s a collie and she’ll go for walks with them on the beach,” Emma added.

“Even those of us who’ve been living in rural Scotland all our lives have never seen a red deer that close before and it’s just amazing to go right up and touch it.”

The Cabin was established in 1990 by Sophie James, who runs the restaurant day-to-day.

A new smokehouse, run by Sophie’s brother, has also relocated from Arran to the grounds of the castle right in Coco’s back yard.

The young deer has certainly proved popular with visitors, if the TripAdvisor reviews are anything to go by.

One reviewer said: “The visit was really made for us by the deer wandering about the seating, not only could it be easily photographed you could walk up and stroke it.”

Another said: “The pet deer in the garden was just too cute.”

“You can chat to Coco, the tame deer, as long as you don’t mention venison burgers!” wrote another happy customer.

Visit theseafoodcabin.co.uk for more information.

My dinner with Coco

I met Coco at the Cabin while on a family holiday in Kintyre. We usually visit every year when down in that area, but this was my first encounter with the friendly deer…

It was a typical soaking wet Scottish summer day and I spotted Coco sheltering under an awning, huddled up beside a pair of collies and some chickens – quite a sight!

Normally we’d sit outside and admire the stunning view over to Arran while watching the roaming animals as we wait on our food and swat away the countless wasps.

This day, however, was one for staying indoors and it seems Coco felt the same.

Coco came for tea during my visit... — Coco came for tea during my visit…

I left the indoor seating area briefly to use the bathroom and, when I returned, there she was wandering around the room having a nosy.

Luckily we’d finished the food otherwise some of it may have gone missing!

Getting up close and personal with such a beautiful animal was certainly a unique experience, and hopefully Coco will still be around the next time I visit.