Highland cows, or “heilan coos,” are the oldest registered cattle breed in the world, w…

Highland cows, or “heilan coos,” are the oldest registered cattle breed in the world, with records going back to the 6th century in the Outer Hebrides. Their shaggy double coat and sweeping horns evolved to survive some of the harshest conditions in Europe, and a group of them is called a fold, not a herd. The classic ginger colour only became dominant because Queen Victoria preferred red ones, and Victorian breeders obliged. Originally most were black. They’re famously gentle, can live up to 20 years, and their horns are used to rake through snow to find grass underneath.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​