The Scottish Highland Cow

The Highland (Scottish: Hielan coo) is a Scottish breed of rustic cattle, often known as the gentle giants of Scotland. With their long horns, and flowing red locks, these iconic beasts are easily recognized. They originated in the Scottish Highlands and the Outer Hebrides islands of Scotland and has long horns and a long shaggy coat. It is a hardy breed, bred to withstand the intemperate conditions in the region.

Queen Victoria is said to have commented on a trip to the Highlands that she preferred the red colored cattle, and in an effort to please the Queen, this resulted in selective breeding of the reddish color that we see most often today and the black color gradually declining over time. Originally, the breed was divided into two classes, the West Highlands or Kyloe, and the Highlander.

Highland cattle descend from the Hamitic Longhorn, which were brought to Britain by Neolithic farmers in the second millennium BC, as the cattle migrated northwards through Africa and Europe. Highland cattle were historically of great importance to the economy, with the cattle being raised for meat primarily and sold in England.

Since the early 20th century, breeding stock has been exported to many parts of the world, especially Australia and North America. It is estimated that there are now around 15,000 Highland cattle in the United Kingdom.

Scottish Highland Facts

• Bulls can weigh up to 1,800 lbs and cows up to 1,100 lbs

• The Highland Cow is the oldest registered breed of cattle in the world!

• Nobody is quite sure if these cows can actually see where they are going! But whether they have super vision or heightened other senses they certainly manage to find what they are looking for, even with that long fringe, known as a ‘dossan’ blocking the way!

• The Scottish refer to the animal as “hairy coos.”

• The collective name for a group of cows is usually a herd. However, a group of Highland cattle is known as a ‘fold’ – named after the open shelters they can be kept in over winter.