page_title: Highland cattle
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Highland cattle / History
caption_attribution_description: [Father and son (highland cattle)] [between ca. 1890 and ca. 1900]. 1 photomechanical print&#160;: photochrom, color. Notes: Title from the Detroit Publishing Co., Catalogue J--foreign section, Detroit, Mich.&#160;: Detroit Publishing Company, 1905. Print no. "11206". Forms part of: Views of the British Isles, in the Photochrom print collection. Subjects: Cattle. Scotland. Format: Photochrom prints--Color--1890-1900. Rights Info: No known restrictions on publication. Repository: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA, hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print Part Of: Views of the British Isles (DLC) 2002696059 More information about the Photochrom Print Collection is available at hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.pgz Higher resolution image is available (Persistent URL): hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsc.09099 Call Number: LOT 13415, no. 1112 [item]
context_page_description: The Highland is a Scottish breed of rustic cattle. It originated in the Scottish Highlands and the Outer Hebrides islands of Scotland and has long horns and a long shaggy coat. It is a hardy breed, bred to withstand the intemperate conditions in the region. The first herd-book dates from 1885; two different types – a smaller island type, usually black, and a larger mainland type, usually dun – were registered as a single breed. It is reared primarily for beef, and has been exported to several other countries.
  Bulls can weigh up to 800 kg and cows up to 500 kg.
context_section_description: Highland cattle descend from the Hamitic Longhorn, which were brought to Britain by Neolithic farmers in the second millennium BC, as the cattle migrated northwards through Africa and Europe. Highland cattle were historically of great importance to the economy, with the cattle being raised for meat primarily and sold in England.
  The 1885 herd book describes two distinct types of Highland cattle. One was the West Highland, or Kyloe, originating and living mostly in the Outer Hebrides, which had harsher conditions. These cattle tended to be smaller, to have black coats and, due to their more rugged environment, to have long hair. These cattle were named due to the practice of relocating them. The kyles are narrow straits of water, and the cattle were driven across them to get to market.
  The other type was the mainland; these tended to be larger because their pastures provided richer nutrients. They came in a range of colours, most frequently dun or red. These types have now been crossbred so that there is no distinct difference.
  Since the early 20th century, breeding stock has been exported to many parts of the world, especially Australia and North America.
  It is estimated that there are now around 15,000 Highland cattle in the United Kingdom.
caption: Highland cattle, ca. 1890–1900.
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