Scottish Highland cattle

by Vlindertuin-Art

The Scottish Highland is an iconic sight that instantly steals everyone’s heart thanks to its imposing horns and long, shaggy coat. These robust cattle originate from the rugged, wet and cold Scottish Highlands and islands, where the weather is often bleak and unforgiving. Nowadays, they are no longer found exclusively in Scotland, but are appreciated worldwide and used in nature reserves and landscapes because of their unique grazing behaviour.

In terms of lifespan, the Scottish Highland is a resilient survivor; in the wild or in nature reserves, they can easily live to be fifteen and sometimes as old as twenty years, partly thanks to their incredibly strong build and the absence of natural predators.

One of the breed’s most remarkable characteristics is their famous double coat, consisting of a long, woolly outer layer rich in natural lanolin to protect them from heavy rainfall, and a shorter, warm undercoat for the bitter cold. As a result, they do not need a thick layer of fat to stay warm, which keeps them in excellent health.

Despite their rugged and somewhat intimidating appearance with those enormous horns, Scottish Highland cattle are actually known for their calm, gentle and curious nature. They are certainly not easily fazed by anything and graze peacefully, devouring not only tender grasses but also tough heather, shrubs and young tree saplings with ease, thanks to their broad muzzles and strong teeth. This makes them the ultimate, self-sufficient landscape managers, capable of keeping a nature reserve open and diverse all by themselves.