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Garden
Garden News
Feature:
HIGHLAND CATTLE
Famed for their distinguished ancestry, shaggy looks and hardy nature, Highland Cattle played, and continue to play, a huge part in Scotland’s history. The origins of the breed take us to the Western Highlands of Scotland where they were once of vital importance to the economy of subsistence farmers. Their unique double layer coat, coupled with an ability to lay down fat allowed them to survive in the wettest of climates and over the years they developed an ability to eat large amounts of dry matter. This latter trait is of particular interest to the modern environmentalist as it means Highland Cattle can be used for the grazing of conservation areas.
HORNS
The Highland breed’s character and charisma is enhanced by its horns. Horns have many functions: self defence, pulling down tree branches for feeding or raking up foliage and grass to hide their young from predators. They are also used as heat exchangers to cool the body down. The female horn should turn up (a style determined by genetics, diet and accidental damage to the growing tip when young. The bull horn generally points down but rises to bring the tips level with the head (probably due to their need for defence).
The Glamis Castle Fold was established in 1987 as part of a commercial entity to utilise the policy fields around the castle. It is fully integrated into the commercial beef production of Strathmore Farming Company’s large operation where it is used to produce cross bred heifers as well as being used in conservation situations.
The threatened and indigenous red squirrel still thrives at Glamis; and with a little patience they can be seen at several places around the grounds.
July 26th commemorates 60 years of castle opening to the public. The first 60 people will be charged at the 1950 rate of 2/6 (12 pence).
We are celebrating the centenary year of The Italian Garden at Glamis in 2010.
Tickets are available to purchase now for Halloween. This event sells very quickly all tickets were sold by mid September last year. Avoid disappointment and book now.