Scottish Highland cow in the snow

by Vlindertuin-Art

The Scottish Highland cattle breed originates from the Scottish Highlands, where it has lived for centuries amongst hills, grasslands and heathland. Thanks to its double coat, it can withstand the cold, wind and rain well. Nowadays, you can also find these cattle in the Netherlands, where they often graze outdoors all year round.

A Scottish Highland can live to an average age of 15 to 20 years. Cows usually have their first calf around the age of three and can go on to give birth to several calves. The calves stay close to their mothers at first and grow up within the herd.

But what are Highland cattle actually kept for? In the past, they were mainly used for their meat and milk. Nowadays, they also play an important role in nature conservation. In nature reserves, they eat grass, herbs, leaves and young trees. In this way, they help prevent grasslands and heathland from becoming completely overgrown with shrubs and trees. This creates space for a variety of plants and animals.

Highland cattle are known for their calm grazing behaviour and their ability to adapt to different conditions. Nevertheless, they are powerful cattle with horns, which is why it is important to give them sufficient space in nature reserves.