Highland cattle Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Highland
Traits
Cow on Dartmoor, in south-west England
Conservation status	FAO (2007): not at risk DAD-IS (2021): endangered/at risk RBST: UK native breeds
Other names	Kyloe Long-haired Highland Cattle Long-haired Scottish Cattle North Highland Cattle Scottish Cattle Scottish Highland Cattle West Highland Cattle
Country of origin	United Kingdom (Scotland)
Distribution	worldwide
Standard	The Highland Cattle Society
Use	meat
Weight	Male: average: 650 kg Female: average: 450 kg
Height	Male: average: 125 cm Female: average: 105 cm
Coat	red-brown yellow pale/silver dun/brindle black
Horn status	horned in both sexes
Cattle Bos (primigenius) taurus

The Highland is a famous Scottish breed of cow. In Scottish Gaelic, it is named Bò Ghàidhealach. In the Scots language, people often call them Hieland Kye. These animals first lived in the cold Scottish Highlands and the Western Islands of Scotland. They are famous for their very long horns and warm, shaggy coats. Because they are so tough, they can easily live outside in wet, stormy weather.

History of Highland Cattle
Characteristics and Cold Adaptations
Farm Use
Images for kids
See also

History of Highland Cattle

Bull and bull calf, illustration from 1890–1900

Black cows

Cow and calf in south-eastern Saskatchewan

Long ago, there were two main types of these cattle in western Scotland. One type lived on the Hebrides islands. People called them Kyloes. They were small and mostly black. Farmers even made them swim across water channels called kyles to reach markets. The other type lived on the mainland. Those were larger and usually red or dun.

During the 1700s, farmers drove thousands of cattle over the Pennines to English markets. People set up a special breed society in 1884 to protect the animals. In 1885, they printed the first herd-book, uniting both kinds into one official group. A group of regular cattle is called a herd. However, a group of Highland cattle is called a "fold". This name comes from the stone shelters that kept them safe at night. In 1954, Queen Elizabeth II chose to keep a fold at Balmoral Castle.

People have sent these animals to many nations around the globe. Today, they live in places like Finland, Norway, and Canada. They also do well on ranches across the United States and Australia.

Characteristics and Cold Adaptations

The hair gives protection during the cold winter.

cow in the snow

These cattle have huge horns and thick, wavy coats. Most have reddish-brown coats, but others can be yellow, black, or silver. Their genes, like MC1R and PMEL, control their hair colour.

Highland cattle have a clever double coat of hair. The outer layer has long, oily hairs that keep out heavy rain. Underneath, a soft coat keeps them warm against harsh winds. This makes them almost as tough in the cold as wild caribou.

Adult bulls can weigh up to 800 kilograms. Females usually weigh up to 500 kilograms. Highland cattle can live for up to 20 years, which is longer than most cows.

Farm Use

Highland cows are mainly raised for beef. Because their hair keeps them warm, they do not need thick body fat. This makes their meat leaner than other beef. Farmers often mate them with breeds like Shorthorn or Limousin. The calves grow well while keeping their parents' hardy nature.