It also gives the cows summer protection against flies in their eyes and face. The hair, known as the “dossen”, serves as a shield for wind, rain, sleet, and snow. The most recognized trait of a Scottish Highland cow is the long shaggy fringe of hair covering the face and eyes. The Highland cattle on Cyrus Ridge Farm are selected, bred, and trained to be friendly and docile with their owners. We are able to enjoy the benefits of those years of selective breeding. Of course, it was crucial that their cattle had docile and friendly personalities with these living arrangements. They would bring their cow(s) into the house during the winter to generate heat for the family and to keep the cow safe from predators or thieves. Most of the Highland mountain farmers didn’t have the means or space to build barns and shelters for their cows. These cows continue to meet all the criteria for which they were originally bred. Through centuries of selective breeding the Scottish Highland cattle breed was developed. They found themselves looking for a cattle breed that would be able to survive the harsh winters, provide calcium & protein rich milk, and offer tasty lean meat. The families were unable to feed or sustain a large herd of cattle. The homesteads in the mountain regions were relatively small, mostly restricted by the geography. Necessity is the mother of invention, and the Scottish Highland cattle breed is the product of a dire necessity.
The Scotts, being a resilient and determined clan, found ways to make life in the mountains comfortable. The primary challenge for these settlers was to survive in the harsh climate. This mountainous region was inhabited as early as the 14th century by the Scottish settlers who wanted to move out of the “crowded” lowlands area. The Scottish Highland cattle breed originates from the Gaelic region of Scotland known as the Highlands.
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