Hairy Coos

"Hairy coo" is the Scottish way of saying "hairy cow." It's the nickname given to Highland cattle, the oldest existing breed of cattle in the world. They still frequent pastures in the Highlands of Scotland, and I also found them in the Highland Village, a reconstructed history site in Nova Scotia. However, with an internet search, you can find them for sale in many locations.

Highland cattle are a hardy breed, and winter well. They have a double coat of hair. The shaggy exterior coat has oils to help them brave the elements, and there's a downy second coat underneath for insulation. Their foraging skills also help them survive. They will climb steep slopes to find food and eat plants other cows pass by. In heavy snow, they'll use their horns to dig for the food underneath. They have a longer lifespan than many breeds, up to twenty years.

These cattle have a range of colors, but reddish brown is the most common and black is the oldest. Their milk is rich with butterfat, and their meat is considered high-quality but lower in cholesterol than most beef. They are a distinctive breed that stands out among all others. I enjoyed seeing them grazing the hillsides of Scotland.

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