Hielan Coo Fold
Synonymous with Scotland, the Highland Cow, or Hielan Coo as we would say, can be seen all over the country.
Highland cattle (also known as Hairy Coo or Hielan Coo) are an ancient Scottish breed of beef cattle with long outward spreading horns and long wavy pelts coloured black, brindled, red, yellow, or dun.
The breed was developed in the Scottish Highlands and western coastal regions of Scotland, and breeding stock has been exported to the rest of the world, especially Australia and North America, since the 1900s and is used as grazer in nature reserves in the Netherlands . The breed was developed from two sets of stock, one originally black, and the other reddish. Today, Highland cattle come in a wide variety of colours.
Highlands are known as a hardy breed due to the rugged nature of their native Scottish Highlands, with high rainfall and strong winds. They both graze and browse and eat plants other cattle avoid. The meat tends to be leaner than most beef, as highlands get most of their insulation from their thick shaggy hair rather than subcutaneous fat. The coat also makes them a good breed for cold Northern climates.
The Highland cattle registry (“herd book”) was established in 1885. Although groups of cattle are generally called herds, a group of highlands is known as a ‘fold’. The breed is affectionately known as “shaggy coos” or “hairy coos” in parts of Scotland. They were also known as ‘kyloes’ in Scots.
Highland cattle have been successfully established in many European countries. Their hair provides protection during the cold winters, and their skill in browsing for food is also important in order to survive in such a steep mountain area.
BEST VIEWED LARGER
Related shots can be found at: Highland Scotland.
Sold a Card on 27th Apr 08
Click on the card below to see the pcture and information.
Hielan Coo Fold belongs to the following groups:
UK to Australia and Back and United Kingdom Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Julie Langford
Oh My! This is just superb Tom
Mar Silva
They are so beautiful. When I have a farm I would like to have some. As my friends of course. Do you think they could handle America?
Tom Gomez replied
They are there already, check out the updated description on the right.
Joanne Bradley
Well I have never seen a cow that looked like this! But cows all act the same just kind stand as if waiting for something. Great capture Tom! Crisp, clean well composed!
Mar Silva
I’m a vegetarian…so I think I’ll have a couple as Pals to roam around with :)
Barry Norton
Great Capture
Tim Denny
Holy COW! what in the devil do you call these hairy outfits ? Nice shot though Tom
Bootiewootsy
I have never seen these before.. Very good photo.. Thanks for sharing.
Kelly J
Ooooh I love these – My mum used to have them and I loved the way you call them Hielin Coo – I can just about hear my mums voice again… thankyou for the memory.
Linda Syms
Brilliant Tom
handprintz
Such a great shot Tom,these are such lovely looking beasts,and thanks for the informative narrative as well!
Kathleen Hill
fantastic they are beautiful
Sean Farragher
fantastic
BLYTHPHOTO
The only time I can remember seeing beautiful cattle like these was in a field overlooked by Edinburgh Zoo and I was so delighted to have seen them. I have always been a fan of Oor Wullie and the Broons and the artist sometimes showed Highland Coos in the background.
Tom Gomez replied
I have some more on my Animals page if you want to look.
AnnaMarie
This is simply superb Tom. Everything about this shot is perfect.
Antanas
great capture, well done
mieclarke
wow….amazing animals, great shot!!
teewolf1
wow, kinda cute
wdavies285
a brilliant capture, they are great
Ellen
Very beautiful!!
Jaybe
Aaawww how cute are they!!!!
Carol & Kev Ha...
Wow Tom, such stunning cattle, simply beautiful creatures! Love the legend, fascinating, thanks so much for sharing such an incredible, unique creature! Beautifully captured!
Tom Gomez replied
They are not unique, we have lots of them (hehe)
Only kidding, but they are amazing docile animals and if you see one in the flesh, it is hard not to go wow …
kcranmer
Wow those are some fuzzy cows…never seen anything like them, great shot!
Ginger Barritt
Thank you! Not only a really nice photo, but I learned something! Since quite a few of my ancesters came from Scotland, I love stories about it.
liliana
Great capture Tom….such beautiful animals…I’d never seen cattle like this before.
lurline
Aren’t they wonderful ? ! Perfect capture of these rare creatures. :)
Lucindawind
wow they are so pretty .. lovely shot Tom
dinghysailor1
brilliant capture tom! love how they are all facing the same way for your pic! great colours too!
Moshe Cohen
Tom, great image, good composition and colors.
The cows are so cute.
retsilla
Just a great shot tomg. Subject, colours, and context. Plus I like the all the great detail.
AND I know a bloke who looks like this too!
Paola Jofre
Great capture Tom!! Beautiful work!! Love the colors !!
Maureen Bloesch
what a strange looking cow…beautiful shot of them! Do they weave the hair/wool off them? I’d love to crochet w/some of it!
Tom Gomez replied
I don’t know Maureen. An interesting question. We have lots of these beasties here, so we don’t tend to look at them much.
I have a couple more shots of these cows:
Heilin Coo
Heilin Coo II
lareejc
wow! impressive shot of these beautiful cows! I’m afraid if I owned any – you would see me out there combing their hair! I also like your narrative on these beautiful animals.
Ian McKenzie
Almost feel like going up an giving it a cuddle.
Anthony Hedger
fantastic Tom a great shot
Smudger
tom these are wonderful I love them
rodsfotos
I’m so glad you gave me the link to this beautiful image Tom, love the way they are all facing the same direction and with the water, the reflections are a wonderful bonus, that young one in the foreground is just too cute, very well done indeed, has to be in my Fav collection,
Regards, Rod.
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Rod, it is one of my favourite shots
adgray
Ain’t they CUTE!!!!
RANGA COWS!!! lol
I oughta know I look like them after my shower! lol
Chookas! X♥X
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Alyssa, I love Heilin Coos …
adgray
Mooooooooooooooooooooooo !!!
:O) lol ♥
Magee
Oh bless their little furry coats!! I have a true soft spot for these darling creatures Tom, and this is such a wonderful capture of them. Couldn’t pop that wee baby in the post to me could you Tom? lol!
May I be so bold as to show you the one I found in NZ last year. Fell completely in love with him I did! :-))
Tom Gomez replied
Glad you like it Magee. In Scotalnd our little Hielin Coo poem goes like this:
As ah wiz walkin
doon the road
ah saw a coo
a bul begoad
MichelleR
They are really cute. You know me…can’t resist the adorable animals.
Tom Gomez replied
I love them too, thank you so much for your great comment …
BigD
Excellent capture and our neighbor has about a dozen of them, Tom.
Tom Gomez replied
Cheers D, they always make me smile …
Robin Brown
A true ginger coo or two or three,four & five to be precise Tom. Only Scotland could produce a Ginger Coo!! Must be all the Irn Bru we drink!!
Tom Gomez replied
According to the latest adverts, its Ginger and Phenomenal …
Martina Fagan
Brilliant they are just the best & strong looking cows :)))
Tom Gomez replied
We have lots of them around here, but I never get tired of them …
Cee Neuner
Great capture!! Please consider putting this into the new Even-Toed Ungulates group.
Lindamell
gorgeous Highland Cattle :))
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you so much Linda …