Hairy Coos

Hairy Coos (Heilan coo) is the affectionate Scottish name for Highland (or Highlander) cattle. The shaggy-coated, long-horned cows native to the Scottish Highlands have taken the world by storm. We saw some, but not as many as I thought we would. Our tour guide told us that farmers were being encouraged to keep their Highland cattle away from tourists. Why? Because tourists do stupid things. Yellowstone, right?

Bangs

The best place to see and take pictures of the Hairy Coos was Culloden. There was a small pasture of them at the edge of the battlefield. The battlefield maintains them for historic purposes. We stopped at a place on the way back to Edinburg, but they were crossbreds (I believe). We also saw some of the cows near the Italian Chapel on Orkney. Most of the cattle we saw (they're were a lot on Orkney) were traditional beef breeds; lots of Aberdeen Angus.

Grazing away

She's a fat one.

Black was the traditional color of Highland cattle.

WATCH VIDEO OF HIGHLAND COW GRAZING

Highland Cattle are an old breed of cattle. There are accounts of the breed as early as 1359. The herd registry goes back to the 18th century. The breed is known for its exceptional hardiness, making the most of poor quality forage and able to thrive where no other cattle could exist. Their true home is the Western Highlands and islands of Scotland. They are now found throughout the world.

Wide body

The horn span

Cow close-up

How now brown cow

Highland cattle are deeply intertwined with Scottish Highland culture, serving historically as a literal measure of wealth, a crucial source of survival, and a symbol of rugged resilience. The Highland Clearances completely upended the role, population, and geography of Highland cattle; cattle were displaced by sheep. Victorian preferences changed the traditional color of Highland cattle from black (or dark brown) to red or ginger.

Big horns

You could buy Hairy Coo sourvineers everywhere

Hasn't missed many meals.

This bull was not a Highlander.