![]() In 2002, the number of breeding cows in the UK was about 2,500. By 1723, over 30,000 Scottish cattle were sold to England.Īt one time, they were near extinction. They were moved to Northern England to be fattened up. At the markets in Crieff and Falkirk (we see those markets portrayed in the movie Rob Roy) many cattle were bought by English drovers. In the Scots dialect, a Highland cow is called a “Hielan coo.” They were very important to Scotland’s economy in the 18th century. They are called a fold after the open, stone shelters they winter in. (The collective name for them is not herd. But, when you come across a fold, you’ll see white, black, yellow, and brindle coos mixed in with the shaggy ginger animals. After breeding for it, that red is now the standard Highland color we see today. The Victorians loved the look of the ginger cows. Originally, Highland cattle were mostly black. They are hardy, tough when they need to be, often ginger-colored, friendly if you don’t annoy them, tolerant of cold weather, and a beautiful, appreciative part of the natural world. The Scots believe they are an almost mystical manifestation of their own cultural and personal characteristics. ![]() This oldest registered cattle breed in the world came from Scotland, but they’re now in Australia, Canada, the USA, and Europe, too. ![]() Most of them have long red fur, and they are a wonder to see in real life. They have furry coats, weigh 1,100 pounds, and their horns are quite impressive. Garw Valley Highland's primary business focus is the production of quality pedigree young stock.The Scots call them Highland Coos or Hairy Coos these large cows have been grazing in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands since the 6th century. Highland beef is well regarded & sought after for it’s exceptional taste & quality. They have tough mouths, and will readily browse on surprisingly prickly plants such as thistle or hawthorn bushes. They seem to thrive on poorer pastures & the sort of rough, tough vegetation which many other cattle - certainly most commercial beef & dairy breeds - would find lacking in nourishment & unpalatable. Highlanders delicate, selective grazing encourages new growth in wilder environments & their presence can help promote plant diversity by naturally seeding wild meadow species. Highlands are well known as ‘conservation grazers’ & are often used to manage conservation areas & sensitive habitats in a way which reduces the dominance & impact of species like bracken on uplands. Highland calves are just adorable - like little woolley mammoths ! They also calve with a minimum of fuss, and usually without any human assistance whatsoever. Unlike many commercial breeds which have to be brought in for the winter, Highlanders are tough enough to be 'outwintered' - even when there’s a foot of snow on the mountains. Here in the British Isles folds can be found grazing many different types of ground, varying from the rugged & exposed Welsh hills to the relatively sheltered fenlands of East Anglia, to the windswept islands of the Outer Hebrides.Īs an ancient upland breed, Highland cattle are exceptionally robust & well suited to mountainous terrains & inclement weather. With their long horns & incredibly thick coats Highlanders are known across the world. We’re located about 10 miles north of Bridgend in the picturesque & secluded Garw Valley. ![]() Although we are located some way south of the Scottish border - on a former upland sheep farm in Wales, we share similar wild weather in the winter. Highland cattle are an iconic breed of cattle usually associated with the rugged mountain landscapes of Scotland.
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