This breed has lived for centuries in the harsh, rugged Scottish Highlands, where it developed a resistance to many stress-related and other bovine diseases. It is among the oldest registered breeds.
Cold weather and snow have little effect on the Scottish Highland, which has long hair, rather than a layer of fat, to keep it warm. This also makes for lean beef with little outside waste fat. They also do well in Southern climates eating and thriving on brush and weeds other cattle pass by. Highlands have long horns, and long eyelashes and forelocks that protect their eyes from flying insects. They are considered to be even-tempered and intelligent.