Celebrating the iconic Heelan' Coo and that infamous long, shaggy coat and even longer horns. From cushions and throws to brooches and cufflinks, to your very own Truffles the Highland Cow soft toy, no-one can resist our favourite Scottish animal.
When it comes to iconic Scottish animals, the Heelan’ Coo is instantly recognisable across the globe. With their long, shaggy coats and sweeping horns they are an inherent part of Scotland’s culture, appearing on countless photos, souvenirs, and memorabilia. They’re commonly found in the Scottish Highlands with ‘coo’ means ‘cow’ in the old Scots language. The first thing you notice about these cows is their unique long hair. This is an unusual double coat, with a lengthy coarse outer layer as well as an inner coat which is shorter, softer and woollier. Their distinctive locks keep the hardy breed warm in the harsh Scottish winters, offers protection from the brush and undergrowth, protects their eyes as well as contributing to their stunning appearance which makes them so popular. Ordinary cattle need the warmth of sheltered barns to protect them from the harsh conditions, but the Highlander are more than happy to embrace the cold. You would most definitely not choose to sleep outside in the open during a Scottish winter, so you can appreciate how tough these cows really are making them hugely valuable to cattle breeders and the agricultural industries.
What makes these cattle even more special is that they are in fact the oldest registered cattle breed in the world, and even then, the origins of the breed far predate the publication of a formal herd book. Archaeological evidence of the Highland cattle breed date back as far as the 6th century, some 1500 years ago. Clearly, a breed that has existed for that long must have a lot of positive attributes working for it! As well as their impressive features they have an excellent temperament and are renowned for their friendly nature. Highland cattle have a clear social structure and hierarchy of dominance, meaning fighting and aggressive behaviour rarely happens. So don’t be intimidated by their fearsome horns! So, next time you see one of these photogenic animals with their rugged hairstyles, you can look past their beauty and remember the reasons for its super-coo status. Highland cows flourish where feebler cows can’t exist; live in freezing and wet weather; provide economic contribution to remote areas of Scotland; and have a friendlier temperament. As a breed, they’re exceptionally hardy and robust, making them worthy of their worldwide popularity.
Go back in history to the 8th Century and the Picts as we explore the gateway to the Cairngorms, Rothiemurcus, home to the grant Clan, and most importantly the place to go if you fancy a very Scottish safari, a Highland Cow Safari no less! We answer your common questions about this mighty breed with a bloodline on the Rothiemurcus Estate dating back to the 1920s.