Highland cows have taken over social feeds, plush aisles and home decor, but the breed itself goes back centuries. Here are 20 Highland cow facts, from their Scottish roots to their royal fans to their adopted home here in Kissimmee.
Where Highland Cows Come From
1. They are from the Scottish Highlands and islands
Highland cattle developed in the rugged Highlands and the Western Isles of Scotland, where they lived outdoors on rough grazing through long, wet winters.
2. There used to be two types
Historically there was a smaller island type, often black, known as the Kyloe, and a larger mainland type that was often dun or red. Today they are bred as one breed.
3. Their herd book dates to 1885
The Highland Cattle Society was founded in 1884, and the first herd book, the official registry of pedigrees, was published in 1885. That makes Highlands one of the earliest cattle breeds with formal records.
4. The royal family keeps a herd
Queen Elizabeth II established a fold of Highland cattle at Balmoral Castle in 1954, and the royal estate still keeps Highlands today.
5. They reached the United States in the 1890s
The first recorded Highland imports to the US came in the late 1890s. The American Highland Cattle Association was organized in 1948.
The Coat, The Bangs And The Horns
6. They have the longest hair of any cattle breed
Highlands grow a double coat: a long, coarse, slightly oily outer layer, often described as the longest of any cattle breed, over a soft, downy undercoat.
7. That coat makes them incredibly cold hardy
Highlands are so well insulated that they are often compared with caribou and reindeer for cold tolerance. They rely mostly on that coat, rather than a thick layer of fat, to stay warm.
8. They shed for summer
Highlands shed much of their heavy coat as the days lengthen and regrow it in fall, which is a big part of how they cope in warm places like Florida. More on that in Can Highland Cows Live in Florida?
9. The bangs have a name
The fringe of hair over a Highland's eyes is called a dossan. It helps shield their eyes from rain, wind and insects.
10. Red is the most common color
About 60 percent of Highlands are reddish brown and roughly 22 percent are yellow. The rest are black, dun, white or silver, or brindle.
11. Both cows and bulls have horns
Male and female Highlands both grow long, wide horns. Bulls' horns tend to be heavier and curve more forward, while cows' horns often sweep upward.
Size, Life And Personality
12. A standard Highland is big
Adult standard Highland bulls average around 1,400 pounds and cows around 1,000 pounds, though individuals vary.
13. Mini Highlands are much smaller
Mini Highlands are usually under about 42 inches at the hip as adults, and often weigh around half as much as a standard Highland. Every cow in the Mini Moo Land herd is a mini. Learn more about mini Highland cows.
14. They live a long time
Highlands commonly live up to about 20 years, longer than most cattle breeds.
15. A group is called a fold
A herd of Highland cattle is traditionally called a fold, after the stone shelters once used to protect cattle through the winter.
16. They keep a strict pecking order
Highland herds settle into a clear social ranking based on age and size. A stable hierarchy means less fighting, which helps keep the herd calm.
17. They are known for being gentle
Despite the horns, Highlands are known for calm, docile temperaments, which is why they are so popular for farm visits. See Are Highland Cows Friendly? for tips on meeting one.
On The Farm
18. They are excellent foragers
Highlands evolved on poor, rough grazing, and they will happily browse on plants other cattle ignore. Some conservation groups use them to manage overgrown land.
19. They are famous for easy calving
Highland mothers usually calve on their own, and their calves are small at birth. Breeders prize the breed for it. Meet the babies in our baby Highland cow facts.
20. Scots call them "coos"
In Scotland, a Highland cow is affectionately a "Hielan coo." You will see the word on mugs, signs and sweaters all over the country.
Bonus: Where To Meet Highland Cows Near Orlando
Mini Moo Land in Kissimmee is home to a herd of mini Highland cows, including our baby calves Hershey, Milo, Biscuit, Cocoa, Mocha, Tipper and Smokey. Admission is $29.99 and includes petting, cuddling and hand-feeding the herd, and the $65 VIP experience lets you bottle-feed a baby calf (admission included). We are open 7 days a week, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, about 35 minutes from Disney.
Make It A Boggy Creek Day
Mini Moo Land is one stop inside Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures, a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice park with more than 9,000 reviews. After you meet the herd, the rest of the park is right there:
- Ride an airboat through the headwaters of the Everglades and look for wild alligators, turtles and wading birds. Choose a one-hour tour, a sunset tour or a night tour under the stars.
- Dig for gems at the 70-foot Prospector Gem Mine, where kids sift for semi-precious stones, fossils and crystals.
- Walk through Lily's Butterfly Garden and its native butterflies and plants.
- Visit the Gator Pond.
- Eat lakeside at Boggy Bottom BBQ.
The easiest way to do it all is the 1-hour airboat ride and Mini Moo Land combo, which costs $10 less than booking both separately.
