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Scottish
Highland Cow
As lovers of these fine animals, we
could not resist producing this 'beastie'.
Our wee beastie measures 43cm long
(from tip of her nose to the tip of the tail) and is 36cm tall (from tip of her
horn to hoof). Sorry product does not come in plastic box.
You might also like to see our
Scottish Meat Recipes cookbook? click here
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These fine animals
originate in the highlands of Scotland, and seem more related to beasts
left over from the ice age, than cattle generally farmed today.
For centuries Scottish Highland cattle roamed the Isle of Skye, where
they were herded (they swam) across the water to the mainland for the
annual sales at Oban - sales still held there today. Visiting
towns like Plockton and Lochalsh you will still find the cattle
wandering the streets, ignoring the tourists while they blissfully
graze. Originally the animals were smaller, black in colour, and
known as Kyloe (meaning cattle), but over time they have developed a
range of colours - from white, yellow, red, black, brindle and dun, to
various shades thereof - but yellow/red appear the most dominant colour.
If you visit Balmoral Castle you will find that the castle farm shop,
where the Queen (who took over the venture from The Queen Mother) still
runs Scottish Highland cattle as a commercial venture, and sells the
highly regarded meat. |
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Scottish Highland cattle are easily recognised with their long shaggy
coats and huge horns, with the females horns generally growing upwards,
and the bulls horns growing thicker and outwards or down. The
animals are very adept at using these horns to procure delicacies from
trees, to scratch that itchy spot under their thick coats, or to just
pick the chain on the farm gate. Whatever way you look at it,
without their horns they just would not be the same! |
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Although they do appear fearsome, farmers who have never dealt with the
animals before quickly become admirers of the breed, and are in awe at
the intelligence displayed by the animals. Highlands thrive where
other animals cannot, they love to be spoilt, and it is very difficult
not to fall in love with their gentle and social ways. |
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Highland cow has a very strong maternal instinct, and not only does she
generally have no difficulty calving (due to the smaller size of her
calf), but the calves thrive and grow rapidly - they are also very cute.
The cow will keep her calf close to her at all times, and the pair
quickly develop a strong and loving bond. The cows can breed for
many years, and it is not uncommon for them to still be calving when
nearing 20 years. |
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herd, which is known as a 'Fold', maintains a strong social structure
with the dominant female, in the absence of a bull, at their head, and a
pecking order the others establish and maintain. Watching these
beautiful creatures you learn many things, and it is easy for the hours
to disappear whilst in their enchanting company. They love to be
pampered by being brushed or scratched, and will wait for long periods
for their turn to come. However, should one animal consider it has
waited too long, he or she will make their presence known to the 'holder
of the brush', and insist it is 'their' turn to be spoilt. In
Winter, the double thickness coat keeps the animals dry and warm, while
in Summer, they shed varying amounts of the coat, dependant on the
animal and the conditions, and also the surroundings. The calves
are born with thick warm coats, and can be born in temperatures as low
as -40 degrees and still survive and continue to thrive. |
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