Cattle breeds
Highland Cattle

Everyone is familiar with Scottish Highland cattle, with their long, reddish brown, shaggy coats and majestic horns. Unsurprisingly, Highland cattle are also called ‘hairy coos’ in their homeland, the Scottish Highlands.

Originally, the breed comprised two varieties: West Highland or Kyloe cattle, and Highland cattle. Kyloe cattle were bred on Scotland’s Western Isles, also known as the Outer Hebrides. They were mostly black and somewhat smaller than the red Highland cattle from the mainland. The name Kyloe comes from the Scottish word ‘kyle’, meaning strait or narrow inlet. The cattle had to cross such ‘kyles’ to get from the mainland to the islands.

Well suited to rain and cold weather

In 1885, one joint herd-book was established in Scotland for the two varieties. The breeding objectives have remained the same ever since: robust undemanding animals with long lifespans, well suited to rain and cold, and excellent at converting feed into milk and meat, even in barren regions. Their horns help them to search for food in the snow, among other things. Their long coat gives them optimal protection against water and cold. It consists of two layers: the long top coat, which is oily and therefore water-repellent, and a fluffy undercoat that keeps them warm.

Versatile

In the past, the long top coat of Highland cattle was combed out for use in knitwear, upholstery and felt. After slaughter, combs and cutlery were made from the horns, and still are today.

Thus, the shaggy Highland cattle were useful to Scottish small-scale farmers in all sorts of ways. Thanks to their characteristics and distinctive appearance, they have admirers all around the world – Switzerland included. In this country, Highland cattle are increasingly being used to manage nature reserves and forest pastures. With their feeding habits and minimal trampling damage, they contribute significantly to promoting biodiversity.