These medium-sized, long-living cattle have good temperaments but can be stubborn. They eat a wide variety of vegetation, pretty much anything they can reach. The first written record of this breed is from 800 years ago.
Highland cattle can be many different colours but, due to Queen Victoria's preference of red cattle, this is now the most common colour. Their horns help to shed heat in summer and are used to snag high-up vegetation and bend it down to mouth height.
Highland cattle have a double coat: undercoat downy insulation and a top coat (which is the longest of almost all cattle breeds). Their coat acts as a waterproof layer, protects from thorns and shields the animals' eyes from flies. It also replaces the need for fat storage (which is used for warmth by other breeds). Shade and water availability is more important to this breed.
