ON THE WEST HIGHLAND BREED OF CATTLE. 151 



this herd have oftentimes come off conquerors at the " peaceful 

 battles" which are held year after year in the various showyards. 

 Some of the animals shown are said to possess many of the 

 valuable characteristics of the shorthorn as to shape, size, and 

 general contour. A Highland three-year old ox of this stock, 

 shown by the Duchess-Dowager of Athole at Perth in 1871, was 

 considered by eminent judges to be a perfect model of its race. 

 The herd is still kept in good style by the present Duke. The 

 late Mr Eobert Peter, Urlar, near Aberfeldy, possessed a very 

 fine little herd, with which he was frequently successful at the 

 Highland and Agricultural Society's and other shows. This 

 stock is still kept up by his trustees. 



Tlie herd of Mr Stewart, Bochastle, Callender, must be noticed 

 as well managed and possessing very good points, especially as 

 to hair and horn. He is a successful exhibitor. 



At Faillie, about seven miles to the south of Inverness, is a 

 large herd of West Highlanders, the property of Mr Alexander 

 Praser. It was established about forty years ago by the present 

 owner's father, the foundation having been laid by the purchase 

 of three heifers from the famous Dunrobin breed. Bulls were 

 selected from the districts of Balquhidder, Eannoch, and Gleu- 

 lyon in Perthshire, and the best folds in Skye. The herd 

 numbers about 21. A few of the older cows are drafted off 

 annually, so that the stock is kept in a vigorous condition. 

 The cattle yield a large amount of dairy produce, but they are 

 liberally treated all the year round. When the pastures fail in 

 summer, they have vetches or grey pease ; and in winter they are 

 fed upon hay, straw, and turnips. The stot stirks bring from 9 

 to 10 guineas per head, and what heifers are not wanted to supply 

 the place of drafted cows also realise high rates. 



Mr M'Giilivray has about 20 prime Highland cows at Balloch- 

 roan ; and Mr M'Pherson of Invertromie also owns some very 

 nice cattle. Others might be named, as Mr Grant, Inverlaidnan, 

 Carr Bridge ; Mr Davidson, Gordonhall ; and the late Mr 

 M'Donald, Strathmashie, all of which have the repute of breeding 

 and rearing prize winners. Several very famous mainland herds 

 have been dispersed within the past twenty years, and while this 

 has had a tendency to curtail the aggregate numbers of West 

 Highlanders, it has at least been the means of improving many 

 existing herds, giving as it were, a " pedigree " to several stocks 

 which were previously quite unknown to fame. 



Island Herds. — In the western islands there are also some 

 nice herds of this breed. Indeed, the West Highlander is the 

 type almost exclusively reared, and no other variety seems to be 

 so well suited to the surroundings. Commencing with Islay, 

 the herd at Lossit, the property of Mr M'Neill, claims first 

 attention, as it is the largest in the island. Several of the cows 



