Fur and Moo: Exploring the world of Highland cattle, Scotland’s gentle giants 

Have you ever met a cow with a fluffy coat? We are talking about the Highland cows of Scotland. They have long horns, thick red hair, and can weigh up to 800 kg. It's difficult to miss them. The Highland cows are also called Scotland's gentle giants.   

Interestingly, a group of Highland cows is not called a herd. Instead, it is referred to as a 'fold'. Do you know why? It is because, in the past, the herders used to the cattle to an open shelter called 'folds' at night. It was to protect them from the cold weather and wolves. This nugget of information isn't the only fascinating fact about the fluffy Highland cows. Read on to know more about them.  

A sneak peek into the world of Highland cows 
Highland cows, as their name suggests, originated in the Highland and coastal areas of Scotland. Breeders from throughout history have taken great care to maintain the fluffy features and original characteristics of Highland cows. 

Initially, the cattle breed was divided into two categories: the West Highlanders (kyloes) and the Mainland Highlanders.  The kyloes were found on the western islands of Scotland and were smaller in size than the mainland highlanders. But today, all members are referred to as the Highlanders.   

While the Highland cows were predominantly black before, the red-coloured cattle are now more commonly recognised, and there is a reason for this. Queen Victoria was immediately drawn to the red-coloured cattle during her visit to the Scottish Highlands. Her compliment on their beauty sparked a craze for selective breeding of the red Highland cows. That is why you will see so many red-coloured Highland cows.  

They have fluffy double coats 
The striking feature of the Highland cows is their fluffy coat. They have a double coat comprising an undercoat and a long outer coat that can reach 13 inches! Their coats are well-maintained with regular oiling to avoid the accumulation of rain and snow. Notably, these Highland cows are strong and are adapted to withstand any degree of climatic turmoil. You can commonly see them shedding their heavy coat during summer and regaining them when cold weather returns. 

Highland cows have multiple uses 
Milk is usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the uses of cows. However, Highland cows are typically not used for large-scale commercial production of milk. They can only be milked on a small scale, at a rate of about two gallons per day.  

The primary reason for breeding these cows is their meat. Their meat is thin and tender, with a pleasant texture and flavour. They are of premium quality due to their high protein and iron content. Of course, this means that their meat is expensive.  

Some Highlanders are also used as show cattle. These show cows are referred to as fluffy cows. Their coats are oiled and conditioned properly to give them a fluffy and beautiful appearance that can win competitions!  

They are also great pets   
Highland cows are known for their gentleness and docility. They are never aggressive and easy to manage. They do not fight even within their fold. These cows enjoy being around people and have even been kept as pets.  In the past, these fluffy creatures would even enter people's homes during winter. Their body heat would warm the place.  

Now that you know so many facts about Highland cows, don't be scared to approach them if you ever come across one!