An artist is udder-ly delighted after being crowned the ‘Best Pimped Motor’ at a major car rally this month.

Hilary Barker has spent three weeks transforming an everyday Ford Fiesta into a four-wheeled Highland cow for a team of Scots competing in the Mongol Rally, and saw off competition from over 300 other rally cars at the Goodwood Race Track in Mongolia to come out with the best car design.

The team, called Team Jackie Moo-Art, will be taking part to raise money for Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart’s charity, Race Against Dementia.

Hilary – who lives on a farm on the fringes of Perth and Kinross – said she was stunned to be approached by Team Jackie Moo-Art to design their rally car.

She explained: “This has been a delightful challenge for me to take on and I’m thrilled that the cow car, who I have christened Morag, was named best in show.

“Now she can wear her rosette with pride as she makes her way to Mongolia.

“Highland cows are so iconic to Scotland so I was thrilled to be asked to help with this. It’s really given me a spring in my step thinking that this car will be making people across a third of the world smile. I really hope they laugh when they see it.

“I’m also really pleased to be doing something for such a good cause. I’m doing this as a tribute to much-loved family members.”

‘Morag’ left Scotland over the weekend to take part in the rally in Mongolia, travelling through Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Russia on the way.

The Highland cow car Morag

Hilary added the vehicle has been getting quite a lot of attention from her own Highland cows.

She admitted: “I think this is definitely the weirdest commission I’ve ever been asked to do.

“I love Highland cattle. I have 23 cows on the farm and I love painting them but I’ve never been asked to turn a car into one. I think my cows were quite surprised to see Morag, they were giving her a good sniff!

“I didn’t dare let my bull near the car though - he was giving Morag his mating call from across the farm.”

Hilary said it had been a real challenge for her to take on.

She continued: “This whole thing has been sanded down. That was quite un-nerving taking a piece of sandpaper to a nice shiny car and scratching it all over so I can stick the fur on.

“When you are taking on a project like this, one has to check very carefully all round the car that you don’t cover bits with fur that will affect performance. I’ve had to work my way around things like the little detector which tells you when it’s getting dark, your windscreen scooshers, your radiator grill, lights, and number plate - all those.

“The biggest challenge has been fitting the horns on. They’ve been put together on my sewing machine then filled with fence wire up the middle so they are light in weight but shouldn’t offer too much wind resistance. There’s a roof rack fitted specially to give them a little bit of elevation.”

‘Morag’ is now en-route to the Mongol Rally, and three-time F1 world champion Sir Jackie will be among those backing the Highland Cow car to reach the finish line in Mongolia.

He told the Scottish team: “The Highland Cow is a great symbol of Scotland. I am sure it will attract a lot of attention on your fundraising car rally to Mongolia and wave the flag for Scotland. Race Against Dementia are very thankful to your team for their initiative and their support.”

Team Jackie Moo-Art can be supported online at www.teamjackiemoo-art.com.