Menoturals; Cattle Crew

So, we begin another year of sharing Nature Fridays with the LLB gang!

As threatened promised, there now begins a series on the cattle I saw at the Westmoreland Show in September last year. It will not be anything like as populated as the sheep series was - not because of lack of interest on my part, but because there were only a few there on the first day. The main cattle show was on the second day, and I did not attend that. However, there are some mighty fine beasts to share with you here... and what better than to begin with Highland Cattle?!

These have featured here quite a bit, as they are, naturally, my favourite of all. I believe I have also told you in the past that the famous red-haired beastie that so many think of as quintessentially 'hielan' coo', is in fact a result of Queen Victoria's preference and intense breeding plans to promote dominance of the colour. In truth, the original breed came in two colours: black, mainly from the islands, and brindle/rust, from the mainland. That rust in the brindle is what was desired, so crossing in from Hereford cattle enhanced the ginger tones, bringing us the much-favoured red cattle we all know and love. Now, it is not uncommon to also find 'blondes'!

While a gathering of cattle is referred to as a herd, for the Highlands, the term fold is used. It dates back to the original crofting practices of protecting the cattle with circular stone walls into which one 'folded' the cattle. It is not wrong to refer to a group of Highland cattle as a herd - but it would be wrong to use the term fold for any other than Highlands.

Here is a drop-dead gorgeous bull displaying the pure brindle colouring.

As cute as they look, like all true Scots, you need to approach them with respect! Handled with quiet calmness, confident but gentle touch, no surprises, and regular routines, they can become quite 'petted'. However, they are also highly independent, can be stubborn to the point of damming rivers, and, as has been observed about many a Taurean, can charge at unexpected moments. Learn when to push, and know when to just let them get on with it.