A fold has a clear hierarchy of dominance and structure, which reduces aggression. Social standing depends on age and sex, with older cattle being dominant to calves and younger ones, and males dominant to females. Young bulls will dominate adult cows when they reach the age of 2 years. Calves from the top ranking cow are given higher social status, despite minimal intervention from their mother.

Mature bulls can weigh up to 800 kg and reach a maximum height of 120 cm. Cows can weigh up to 500-600 kg and typically have a maximum height of around 106 cm.

Their milk is high in fat. But their meat is lower in cholesterol and fat than that of most other cattle breeds. On the other hand, it is higher in protein and iron then other beef. Yet, it is more tender and succulent than the meat of almost every other cattle breed. That is because Highlanders aren’t insulated warm in winter by subcutaneous fat, but by their thick shaggy double coat. So the meat is richer in flavor, marbled with fat and a flavor that hints at game meat.

Originally, small farmers kept Highlands as house cows to produce milk and for meat. Nowadays it’s mostly bred for the meat, although, because of their small size they’re unsuitable for agriculture for economic reasons.

For the most part they are used for grazing and for nature reserve management because they thrive on poor pasture, grass and woody plants that other cows wouldn’t eat.