AN elderly English tourist died yesterday after being attacked by a Highland cow near a village in north-west Scotland where the breed is allowed to roam freely.

The 74-year-old man died at the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, early yesterday, after the incident on Wednesday afternoon, near Plockton.

Highland cows in the village - best known as the setting for the TV series Hamish MacBeth - are allowed to roam around thanks to a township scheme set up in 1957.

However, measures are to be introduced soon to restrict the movement of the free-roaming cows after a growing campaign on health and safety grounds. Fences and cattle grids intended to keep them off the streets are expected to be completed in about two weeks.

Police believe the goring did not involve one of these animals, and happened outside the village. The man, from outside London, who has not been named, is understood to have been walking along a path with his wife in the Sallachy area, near Dornie, when he was attacked by the cow.

His wife helped him back to his car before driving him back to their holiday accommodation in Plockton. He was taken to Broadford Hospital in Skye after collapsing, and was then transferred to Glasgow, where he later died.

Pat MacRae, who lives in Plockton, said the elderly couple had travelled north to stay with the man's daughter-in-law, who had rented a holiday home in the village.

Mrs MacRae said: ''Apparently they were walking along a path when they came across this cow and he was thrown. His skin was not punctured by the horns, but he must have been very shaken.''

She said she believed the man had had a heart by-pass and was on medication for his condition.

Charles MacRae, a local community councillor, said: ''As far as we know it was not the Plockton Highland cows that were responsible. I understand the couple might have been in the Dornie area, near Loch Long.''

He said Highland cattle could be quite aggressive, especially at this time of year, when they have calves with them and are being protective. He said there were Highland cattle in the Dornie area, where he believed there were signs warning the public to beware.

Mr MacRae added: ''The cattle in Plockton will soon be kept off the streets. I think that is a good thing. I have seen people try and pet the Highland cattle here and they take a swing at them.

''There have been a couple of incidents this year but nothing serious. With these big horns, you can be hit by accident quite easily.''

Northern Constabulary said an investigation into the incident was under way.

A spokesman said a report would be sent to the procurator-fiscal. Further details on the dead man are not expected to be released until today.