Don Cowie

Ross County

Born in Inverness, Cowie attended Dingwall Academy and came up through Ross County's youth system and went on to captain the club. His father was also a footballer for Ross County during the club's long membership of the Highland Football League. He was on the Ross County side that drew 1–1 against Clyde but beat them in a penalty shoot-out in the Challenge cup final. On 30 January 2007, he signed a pre-contract agreement with Highland derby rivals Inverness and officially joined them on 1 July 2007.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Cowie's first season at the club proved fruitful as he abided so quickly to the Scottish Premier League (SPL). He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 defeat away to St Mirren. During Caley Thistle's poor start to the season Cowie proved to be an inspirational figure in the starting eleven. One of his best moments of the season came when he scored the third, and winning goal in Caley Thistle's 3–2 win over Celtic, as well as a stunning 20-yard volley in a win over Kilmarnock. He finished the season as Inverness' top scorer with nine goals and was voted Player of the Year in Caley Thistle's match program.

Watford

He was set to join Championship club Watford over the summer of 2009, as he signed a pre-contract agreement with the club on 29 January 2009. Despite this agreement, Inverness and Watford agreed a fee and he moved on transfer deadline day for a nominal fee on 2 February. He made his debut for on…

On 7 October 2009, Cowie was called up to the Scotland squad for the first time. He made his debut in the match, a 2–0 defeat against Japan, on 10 October. Cowie started in his second game for Scotland in a friendly against Wales at the new home of Cardiff City. His first competitive start for Scotland came against Lithuania on 6 September 2011 in the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier.

After his retirement from playing in June 2020, Cowie moved into a coaching role with Ross County. He became assistant manager to Malky Mackay, who signed Cowie as a player at Watford and Cardiff City respectively. Cowie became interim manager in February 2024, following the resignation of Derek Adams. After the club avoided relegation by winning a play-off against Raith Rovers on 26 May 2024, Cowie was given the job on a permanent basis. County were then relegated via the play-offs in the following season, losing to Livingston. Cowie left the club by mutual consent in August 2025, following successive home defeats by St Johnstone and Partick Thistle.

Cowie is a member of a footballing family: his wife, Shelley, played football for Glasgow City and the Scotland national team, but gave up in order to start a family. His father, also named Don, played football in the Highland League with Ross County, Inverness Caledonian and Buckie Thistle.