COMMUTERS in Glasgow's southside faced delays this morning, as ScotRail services were disrupted by cattle on a number of its rail lines.

On its social media channels, ScotRail suggested that the livestock had escaped from Pollok Park, indicating that they were from Glasgow City Council's famed fold of Highland cattle. There had been sightings of 'a cow' at Busby and at Pollokshaws West, but the rail authorities admitted that it could not be sure how many were actually roaming free around Glasgow's rail routes earlier this morning.

However, when The Scottish Farmer spoke to a contact at Pollok Park, they confirmed that only one beast had escaped from a rented field out near Busby, and made its way a substantial distance down the train line – around four miles – finishing up near Pollokshaws West, at the south corner of the fold's home park, where it was safely rounded up by staff. There was no comment as to whether the animal in question had been on a deliberate mission to get back to more familiar fields.

In fairly light-hearted media coverage, it was noted that blaming late arrival at work on an errant Highlander was more creative than just admitting that you had slept in.