Originated in the Highlands of Scotland when early breeders selected primarily for quality of the carcass and meat. The breed first came to North America in 1876 and the first purebred calf was born in Ontario at the Guelph Experimental Farm in 1877. May be either red or black and are always one solid colour. Third largest breed in Great Britain. First introduced to Canada in 1976.
Colour varies from white, blue roan or black.
Some also have a red factor. Animals have double-muscled carcasses and are all born with horns.