Scottish actress Karen Gillan keeps one Highland cow [1] at her residence in Los Angeles, California.

The choice of livestock serves as a personal link to the actress's roots, illustrating how expatriate public figures maintain cultural identities while living in the U.S.

Gillan uses the animal as a decorative and sentimental presence in her home. The cow provides a tangible connection to the landscapes of Scotland, which the actress said helps her feel connected to her home regardless of her current location.

"I love having a Highland cow because it reminds me of home," Gillan said.

The presence of the animal is intended to evoke the atmosphere of the Scottish Highlands within the urban environment of Southern California. For Gillan, the animal is more than a pet; it is a symbolic bridge between two very different geographic regions.

"Whenever I see the cow, I feel a little piece of Scotland right here in LA," Gillan said.

The actress's decision to keep the animal reflects a desire to preserve her heritage while navigating the demands of her professional life in the American entertainment industry. By integrating a specific symbol of Scottish rural life into her private space, she maintains a consistent emotional tie to her origin.

“"I love having a Highland cow because it reminds me of home."”

This instance highlights the intersection of celebrity lifestyle and cultural preservation. By keeping a breed of cattle synonymous with the Scottish Highlands in a metropolitan area like Los Angeles, Gillan utilizes animal husbandry as a tool for psychological comfort and identity maintenance in a foreign environment.