They are quite happy for me to pass closely in amongst them and they will come to me and eat out of a bucket. Sandy Mathers, who keeps 30 Highland cattle at his Lethenty Fold at Millview, Lethenty, Inverurie, bears this out: "You have to know each beast individually," he said. Our article Monarch of the But 'n Ben has a quote from a Scottish breeder which says it all. When the children were small we witnessed a number of occasions when the cattle intentionally lifted their horns out of the way to avoid contact. We raised four children on our farm and you will see by our photo galleries that they had a lot of interaction with the cattle. By following this regime we have never had a situation where an animal has shown aggression towards us. Therefore, commonsense dictates that cattle with large horns should be yarded in smaller numbers that allow for plenty of space for both the animals and the handlers. Occasionally this can lead to bullying within the animals themselves when yarded. There is no doubt that they have their "pecking order" within the herd. So, why not book a stay at one of our handcrafted log cabins, and catch a sighting of a grazing Highland cow, a red deer, and many other delightful Scottish wildlife species.Temperament is everything and the general tendency is towards docility. These beautiful Scottish Highland cattle, known locally as Highland Coos, are a must-see when visiting Eagle Brae. Finally, they become pollinators when wildflower seeds that stick to their long fur are dropped off in other places. They are perfect for conservation grazing because they use their tongues to pull the grass so the vegetation is not left too short, and their dung fertilises the ground. This means the Highland cows tread lightly, without destroying the ground for other wildlife species and plants. The average Highland cow weighs around 500 kg, compared to a standard cow which weighs around 700 kg. And finally, those rather intimidating horns are used to rake the ground to find food in the snow. ![]() Their enviable long eyelashes protect their beautiful eyes from the hail, rain, wind and insects. The fluffy thick undercoats help them survive the tough Scottish winters, and the longer hair helps keep the rain and snow off. However, it’s more than just looks with these delightful creatures. With long, shaggy hair and curving horns, they look like something out of a cartoon. These beautiful long-haired cows are popular due to their cute appearance. Their fluffy long hair helps them survive in tough environments. But, they can now be found all over the world in destinations like Australia, Canada, the U.S. They originated in the Scottish Highlands and on the Western Isles of Scotland. ![]() However, the Highland Cattle Society was formed in 1884, and the first herd wasn’t officially recorded until a year after that. The first mention of the Highland cow was in the 6th century. They are the oldest cattle breed in the world. And, depending on the breeder, you can see Highland cows in silver, brindle, red, yellow, and dun.Ģ. At Eagle Brae, our Highland cows are the original black variety. It was, in fact, the Victorians who liked the ginger cows, so they selectively bred them to the point that ginger became the standard Highland cow colour that we all recognise today. However, originally Highland cattle were mostly black. These days, most of the Highland cows that are seen roaming the natural landscapes in Scotland are ginger or brown. These gentle giants are a Scottish icon but how much do you know about them? One of the most iconic Scottish animals you’ll see during a stay in one of our beautiful log cabins is the Highland cow. And these landscapes are home to a variety of local wildlife. ![]() Here at Eagle Brae in the Scottish Highlands, we are surrounded by magnificent natural landscapes. Four Interesting Facts About the Highland Cow
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