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History of Highlands
For centuries the Highland cattle breed lived in the rugged, remote Scottish Highlands and islands. The harsh conditions created a process of natural selection, where only the fittest animals survived.
These animals formed a mainstay of the economy for many hundreds of years. Originally there were two classes: - the smaller, black Kyloes, which inhabited the islands off the west coast of Scotland
- the larger red animals, which lived in the Scottish Highlands. In addition there are yellow, dun and white, also considered traditional colours.
At a local level, the house cow could give milk, cheese, butter, hair for weaving, and (eventually) hide and leather.
Regionally, the herds gathered in summer for driving south, supported many small markets and trades – including blacksmiths who made shoes for cattle that walked roads from the 18th century onwards.
Nationally, the big ‘trysts’, where thousands of Highland cattle were bought by southern dealers, were among the most colourful annual gatherings in Scotland during the last three centuries.
It’s hard to comprehend the sheer scale of the droves that brought Highland cattle from the north and islands down to markets not far from Glasgow and Edinburgh. Highlands had real value as they were used as currency for paying rent and buying goods.
Those days are gone, but today in Scotland there are fine folds in many places, with an increasing number of the old black type, once the norm but gradually ousted by redheads in the 19th century.
With well-supported breed groups in countries around the world and a solid fan base of knowledgeable enthusiasts, the popularity of the Highland is on the up again.
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