The Highland Coo

Bos taurus in the Bovidae family

Highland Coos are inherently Scottish. There’s nae shortage of a Heilan Coo up there in the Highlands. They can be hardy, forceful, bonnie, and are often ginger; but here are the real reasons why we bloody love them so much!

• They are the oldest cattle breed in the world. Their apprearance was dated back to the 6th century, in the Outer Hebrides.
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• They are the reason for the existence of every "Drove Road" used in Highland history. These were the tracks through the Highlands where the farmers would take their cattle to market. They could only walk a few miles each day so would stay in different places every night so the animals could graze and stay safe.
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• They have whopping horns, which are very powerful. The coos horns help them to rake up the snow and forage for food in the winter. Female coos have thinner horns that have a more obvious upwards curve.
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• They are also known for their long, shaggy coats. These coos have two layers of long shaggy fur, the warm undercoat and the more oily overcoat. This helps to keep them cosy in the winter.
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• They come in a wide colour range variety. Although we see so many ginger coos. There are also breeds with yellow, silver, white, red and black coats.
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• The calf will be able to stand and walk straight away. A bonnie Baby Coo is looked after and cared for by its mum for about 6 months, then it’s on its own.
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• When they’re not sleeping, they’re usually always eating. Highland Coos spend 8 hours a day munching away and consume almost 70 kg of grass a day!
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• Highland Coos are one of the friendliest cattle breeds, they’re hardly ever mooooo-dy. Highland Cows show affection to each other by mounting, play fighting and licking each other.
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• A floofy dossan. A coos fringe is known as a “dossan,” which often grows down over their eyes. Some Highland coos are also treated with a deep oily conditioner, which gives them a fluffy appearance.
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