I remember having the chat about highlands with Father Michael on Papa Stronsay when I was there. They had other crossbred cattle as well. They also had a newfoundland dog which had died, which they were very fond of. Norman's attachment to his note on this string is interesting. Seems to confirm that there is reason to suspect that the longhorn highlands of scotland may well have been a norwegian/scandinavian import. Perhaps that is where the hollywood makeup artists got the idea that vikings had highland horns sticking out of their metal headgear. I marvel, as do people here with highland folds, at the economy and self sufficiency of these beasts, their dignified appearance, their amazing defensive calving characteristics, and the duality of their purpose. A wee highland cow will produce a respectable pail of milk. I you google the canadian highland cattle association, there are some very interesting photos and banners. The wee beastie on the face page, up to his belly in snow in a woodland setting. looks like a close relative of a moose or deer. Those barren hillsides overlooking Orkney's sea coasts, would look nice with a few of the shaggy shepherds standing guard. Stephen On Sep 18, 2007, at 1:19 PM, Bruce Fletcher (Stronsay) wrote: > stephen davie wrote: >> One of the favorite beasts here is the Highland Cattle breed. Poor as >> they are on the test stations for daily rate of gain on controlled >> programs, they have become hereabouts "estate cattle", with slow >> growth and several unique qualities but with incredible personable >> traits. They are frugal keepers, existing on the toughest of pasture >> and in the worst of weather with little or no shelter. They have a >> great fury hide to tan like a buffalo, and great whacking horns to >> intimidate city folk intruders.Ttheir back fat content measures less >> than skinned boned chicken breast. They inspire a dignified air to >> any country place, like a cupola and a wind vane on a barn roof. >> >> I understand the blunt economics of the cattle biz, but indeed why >> are there not more highlands in Orkney? Were they not the original >> beasts up there? > > From what I remember from our time in the Scottish Highlands (Brora, > Sutherland - 30 years ago) Highland cattle both graze and browse as > well > as eating plants that other cattle avoid. I don't know about the > rest of > Orkney but the monks on Papa Stronsay used to have a few Highland > cows. > The original inhabitants of Skara Brae ate cattle that might have been > of the highland type - see <http://www.cruachan.com.au/history.htm> > -- > Bruce Fletcher > Stronsay, Orkney > <www.stronsay.co.uk/claremont> > "Do you get virgin wool from ugly sheep?" > _______________________________________ > Orcadia Group Photo Album > http://tinyurl.com/28bx9x > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ORCADIA- > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message