Scotland: The Highland cattle

I told myself I wouldn’t come back to Germany if I didn’t meet the famous cattle with funky hair. 

It’s one of the most popular animals or even mascots of Scotland. The Highland cattle. I had no idea why and how they got their long locks, but apparently they are one of the toughest and hardy breeds in the cow world, considering the rough, windy and cold climates of the Scottish Highlands and the Western Isles of Scotland. You can find different types of animals grazing on the grass and just walking around the meadows and fields across the area, but it was particularly difficult to spot these beautiful, smelly creatures. There are cows, sheep, goats and even deer, but these Highland cattle were tough to spot.

스코틀랜드의 마스코트. 하이랜드 소. 좀 조사해보니 날씨가 춥고 거친 하이랜드에서 사는 소들로 주로 스코틀랜드의 하이랜드와 특히 추운 서쪽 지방에 주로 산다고. 스코틀랜드를 여행하면서 봤던 동물들이 너무 많아서 나중에는 놀랍지는 않았는데 이 소들은 찾기가 워낙 힘들어서 보자마자 다들 카메라를 들이대는 상황.

So Highland cattle tend to be more tender than other types of cattle, mostly because they get their insulation from their very thick and shaggy fur rather than their fat. This was very interesting and although I did try out my fair share of steaks, burgers and meat dishes during my stay, I wish I had tried more.

추위를 잘 견디는 소들이지만 체내 지방이 아닌 두꺼운 털들로 따뜻해지는 성질이라 고기가 부드럽고 질기지 않다고. 햄버거나 스테이크로 먹어보긴 했지만 개인적으로 식사때는 다들 너무 피곤해서 정확한 맛이 떠오르지는 않지만 맛있었던걸로 기억한다. 5일정도를 여행했는데 처음에는 열심히 스코틀랜드식 햄버거, 스테이크를 먹었는데 나중에는 다들 너무 질려서 주로 이탈리아 레스토랑을 찾아다녔다.

All photos by rachelsanghee. July, 2014.