About the breed

 Historical and general insight

Highland cattle are the oldest pedigree bovine breed in the world and the Highland Cattle Society was formed over 100 years ago by Scottish farmers to help preserve this native breed and to share knowledge, as well as organising the forum for trade in livestock.

The cattle orginate from the West Coast and Islands of Scotland where there are plenty of mountains and glens; the terrain is difficult, the climate wet and the natural vegetation poor - and yet the animals thrive! Originally, the cattle were black but now Highlands are found in many different colours including white, yellow, red, dun, brindle and the original black.

The majestic appearance of Highland Cattle is excerbated by their long flowing coats (which are actually double layered for perfect insulation), their hairy dossan covering much of the face and, of course, their distinctive horns.

Highlands first came down to England in the mid 19th century primarily to graze the parklands of country estates.  It is the eye-catching appearances that encouraged this geographic shift and which also helps explain why many famour artists have included them in their works.

Although smaller than most other breeds of cattle, the Highland is a very hardy beast and can live where other cattle can not.  They forage for food in meagre circumstances (with their horns being very useful for this purpose!) and becasue they are light, hardy and general grazers, highland cows have proved particularly effective for conservation grazing.

A group of Highland Cattle is know as a fold (as opposed to a herd) coming from the days when the crofters gathered cattle off the hill and collected them in a fold yard.