Where do they come from? Centuries ago the remote rugged islands off the west coast of northern Scotland provided a home for the wild "Kyloe", an ancestor of the present day Highland cattle. They were small and predominantly black. Domestication and cross breeding with their larger and mostly red cousins from the Scottish mainland has produced the animals we presently know as Highland Cattle. Miniature Highland Cattle are a reproduction of the older animal and are defined as Highland Cattle that remain under 42" tall at the shoulder when fully mature. Prior to 1900, Highland Cattle as small as 350 pounds were not unusual. This compares with full size Highland cattle weighing 800 to 2000 pounds today.

What are the benefits of Highland Cattle? So many years of natural selection in the harsh island conditions produced an extremely hardy breed. They require little in the way of shelter or expensive feed supplements in order to remain in good condition. In fact, they seem to eat what others would pass by and are often purchased for their ability to clear brush and bramble. Highlands are known for their even temperament, strong mothering instincts and their ease in calving. Their long shaggy hair and forelocks provide protection from extremes in temperature, wind, snow and disease carrying insects as well. This hair also acts to replace the extra outer layer of fat present on most modern beef breeds and makes Highland beef one of the very lowest in fat and cholesterol.