Scottish Highland Cattle are a unique ancient breed. The Vikings probably introduced the ancestors of this hardy, hairy, horned breed to the Shetland Isles, the Scottish and British Isles, Iceland and Greenland. It appears to be the closest living breed to the now extinct Aurochs of northern Europe. However, for centuries the highland cattle breed has lived and thrived in the rugged remote Scottish Highlands and hence the breed has subsequently become well known as Scottish Highland Cattle.

The extremely harsh conditions that prevailed created a process of natural selection, where only the fittest and most adaptable animals survived to carry on the breed. Originally there were two distinct types: the slightly smaller and usually black Kyloe, whose primary domain was the islands off the west coast of northern Scotland; the other, a larger animal generally reddish in color, whose territory was the remote Highlands of Scotland. Today both of these strains are regarded as one breed, the Highland. In addition to the red and black of the original strains, yellow, dun and white are also considered traditional colors.

Today highland cattle are highly regarded for their hardiness, wonderful temperament and gentle natures. While sometimes thought of as a ‘small’ breed, Highland cattle bulls can get up to 1000kg and females up to 600kg. Highland cows are known for  easy birthing and excellent mothering.  

Highland cattle take their time grazing, foraging and growing.  While ‘growing out’ and weight gains take longer (they actually have very good conversion rates as they only eat about one third of what an Angus steer would), highlanders produce magnificent, very finely marbled, very lean, succulent and tasty beef — truly the best beef you will ever eat.  Australian Highland Cattle Society breed brochure available here.

Tilbuster North Highland Cattle Fold is situated in a picturesque valley north of Armidale on the New England Tablelands of NSW. Elevation of the Tilbuster North Fold on the Great Dividing Range is around 1150m which provides for cold winters and mild summers.