Santa Claus gives Hoss the mini cow a tickle. He's a three-month old micro-Scottish highland steer. Candace Krull. Pets are playing an increasingly prominent role in Christmas festivities.

A Scottish pub has been stripped off its Christmas lights by a cheeky cow. The Keel Row pub in Fionnphort, on the Isle of Mull, hosted festive sing-alongs in the lead-up to December 25.