scottish animals

An Instroduction to Scottish Animals

sheep
The border Cheviot sheep presented by James and Beatrice Gray originated in the Cheviot Hills of Scotland. Their wool, called Scottish tweed, is the only wool used to make the Scotish kilt. The Shetland sheep's roots probably go back more than 1,000 years. It is likely the are descendants of the sheep brought to the Shetland Islands by Viking settlers. Shetlands, one of the smallest of the British sheep breeds, has some of the finest and softest wool of any British breed. It is used to make traditional Shetland shawls, which are so delicate they can be drawn through a wedding ring.

scottish highland cattle
Scottish Highland cattle are bred to be rugged like the Highlands of their origin. Aberdeen Angus cattle are black in color, and are frequently seen in farmyards throughout the United States.

clydesdale horses
The Clydesdale originated in Scotland and takes its name from the River Clyde. The breed has been popularized in the States by the well-known Budweiser Clydesdales which appear in TV ads and at local events.

peregrine falcon
Falconry has been practiced in Scotland since recorded history, going back to Roman times and the knights of Europe. This falcon is indigenous to Scotland.

sheep herding and training
The Border Collie is one of the oldest existing dog breeds, dating back at least 400 years to the border regions of Scotland and northern England. The breed is distinguished by silence and the power of the eye when working with livestock. He is by nature a "fetching" dog, the natural instinct being to bring the livestock to the handler.

Courtesy of the Sacramento Valley Highland Games and Gathering: 1996 Spectator program