Highland cattle, Loch Venachar, Stirlingshire.

You don't see black Highland cattle often nowadays. They were originally known either as the 'black cattle', because that was their predominant colour, or Kyloes, from 'kyles' meaning the narrow sea straits over which the cattle were swum or ferried across to the Scottish mainland from the islands with the help of cattle drovers. Apparently the reason why most are red these days is that Queen Victoria expressed a preference for this colour during one of her visits to Scotland. As a consequence more red cattle were then bred and the number of black cattle progressively declined.

Archaeological evidence can place Highland cattle back to the sixth century while written records go as far back as the twelfth century yet no one can determine the exact origins of the breed. What is known is that they are the oldest pedigree breed of cattle in the world and the first breed to be registered. The Highland Cattle Society's first herd book dates from 1884.

Originally there were two types. Kyloes were small and black in colour and were associated with the West of Scotland and the Islands whilst the larger red haired cattle grazed the Highlands. Highland cattle are a hardy breed due to the rugged nature of their native Scotland with high rainfall and very strong winds. Their hair gives protection during the cold winters and their skill in looking for food allows them to survive in steep mountain areas. They both graze and browse and eat plants which many other cattle avoid.