Highland cattle are some of the most interesting-looking creatures in the world. They look a lot like normal cattle, but with way nicer hair.
They are originally from Scotland but have been brought to numerous places all over the world.
Why? Well, aside from their numerous benefits to farm-life, we have a feeling that it might just be because they’re such darn cutie-pies when they’re young, as you’re about to see.
These pics of highland cattle calves will absolutely melt your heart.
Highland cattle calf resting with human child.
Whether you are a Highland cattle calf or a human child, a good nap is always nice to share with a friend. The River Crest Farm hosts a lot of weddings on their property, but when they aren’t, feel free to take a nap with a Highland Cattle calf just like Jack here is doing.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXX8NDMA32d/
Sledding with hooves.
Some people like to go sledding in the winter. Highland cattle calves don’t need a sled, however, they just go straight down on their hooves like this little guy is demonstrating.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDXwitDKEyK/
I will be mighty when I grow big.
This tiny little guy looks like he’s going to be mighty tough when he gets older. Adults can weigh up to 1800lbs, so imagine what he might look like in a few years. He’s certainly adorable now though!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYtZj8iDygw/
Highland cattle calf side-eye.
You’re never too young to give someone a side-eyed glance. It’s the perfect look for when someone is talking during a movie or you overheard a stranger say something ridiculous. Even highland cattle calf know how to give the old side-eye.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BM66oKPB4XZ/
That’s some tasty grass!
We all know how it feels to eat something so tasty that you just can’t stop licking your lips after. To us humans (assuming you are one) grass doesn’t seem that appetizing, but to a cattle calf, it’s delicious!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVpbCJdjnyY/
This seems like a good spot to rest.
The good thing about being a calf is that there are always bigger cattle available to have a rest on top of. That’s what the smaller guy in this photo figured out.
https://www.instagram.com/p/3Ii5HfSaSZ/
Posing for an album cover.
Don’t these little ones look like they are posing for an album cover? The one staring at the camera is the singer but the two others who can’t be bothered to look at the camera at all play drums and bass.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGz08bWSaeQ/
We are 3 friends of different colors.
These 3 guys are very good friends. They compliment one another quite well and enjoy that they have the 3 most popular cattle coat colors represented in their circle of friends.
Everything is surprising!
Have you ever tried to surprise a small child? It’s easy, isn’t it? That’s because young humans or animals are constantly learning new things and surprised by new information. Were not sure exactly what this little guy learned just before this photo was taken, but it must have been quite shocking.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSKjh3vAgRb/
Yes, I am the cutest one.
This little guy’s wavy gray fur and adorable facial features just seem to scream “Yep, you’ve done it, you’ve found the cutest example of a Highland cattle calf available. Congratulations.” The competition isn’t quite wrapped up, however, there are more contenders.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZqenJBFknP/
Just a couple of bros!
Here we see just a couple of bros hanging out on the farm, getting some solid bonding time in. You might think you are a cool guy that wears sunglasses and a backward baseball hat, but you are only cool if you hug a Highland cattle calf while doing so.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWrLS50Fair/
Holding up a good friend.
This guy is holding up his good friend so that their picture can be taken. That is quite the floofy little Highland cattle calf he’s got with him. No wonder he looks so proud!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYeUvdpBCzJ/?taken-by=happyhensandhighlands
Waving hello.
“Hello, it’s nice to meet everyone. I am a little Highland cattle calf and this is my tongue. I hope we can become friends.” The Happy hens and highlands farm is raising some polite and friendly cattle.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRUnOmGhM0e/?taken-by=happyhensandhighlands
It does a body good.
Just like human babies, Highland cattle calves are often fed through bottles. This guy just can’t get enough. After this meal, they have likely earned themselves a big nap.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUShLBaAmDg/
Leaping toward the future.
You know you are in a hurry when you are moving forward but not one of your four hooves is touching the ground. We’re not sure where this little one is leaping to, but wherever it is, they are in a big rush to get there.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVcyEO-FFP8/
King of the Mountain
“I have the high ground! I am the master and ruler of this land!” This little Highland cattle calf appears to have just won a game of “King of the Mountain.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGNWPGHyaRg/
Head boop.
It’s interesting how many animals do this. A common sign of affection in nature is to rub your head up against the face of someone. This can create some awkward human-to-human interactions but animals seem to really love it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTwAufGgjMy/
Wrapped in a pile of hay.
Doesn’t this photo kind of want to make you take a big nap in a pile of hay? If you did, it would probably be really scratchy and uncomfortable. This calf is making it work for them, however.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZEfQh2HJm3/
We are the smallest calves.
These two calves look like they are about as young as calves can be. What an interesting time for them. All they know of the world is that they are small, the grass is for eating, and resting feels nice.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSHN9JQAwdG/
Flower child.
Young people and calves look upon the world with fresh eyes. They don’t want a world filled with war and turmoil. Can’t we all just turn to love and peace like this little hippie Highland cattle calf?
https://www.instagram.com/p/50I9AqyaYP/
Learning to run.
When you are young, it’s all about learning how to do things. This little calf is learning how to run fast. Highland cattle are sometimes hunted by wolves and coyotes, so this is a good skill to develop.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSoRw3Kg8tg/
Extra training required.
Meet James. James is a Highland cattle calf that needed a little extra tender loving care. He stayed inside the house for a few nights at the Happy Hens and Highlands Farm while he was learning how to drink from a bottle. You’ll get there, little guy!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUbF_7Olz86/
Newborn Highland cattle calf.
This little newborn Highland cattle calf is on their first day of existence. So far, all they’ve figured out is that they feel wet but there is a much bigger animal that appears to be licking them clean.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSd1X_QAGrG/
One day my head will be this big too.
While the Highland cattle calf featured in this article are small, their adult counterparts are much larger. This little calf is probably wondering if their head will ever grow this big.
https://www.instagram.com/p/2IpaPTyaZz/
Whoever blinks first loses.
Here is a rather intense-looking calf. They look as though they are engaging in a fierce staring contest battle that they really don’t want to lose.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCr38gSSaRR/
Let’s go for a walk in the woods.
When Highland cattle calves aren’t eating grass, they like to go for strolls through the woods. What a little adventure these two appear to be having!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUeqKcujgBs/
Maybe it’s time for a haircut.
What makes Highland cattle different from typical cattle is their shaggy coat. These cattle look like many of us did when we first came out of lockdown.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEQzHyGSaZO/
Little one gets a big kiss.
This little calf’s eyes appear to be bulging out of their head as they are being given a smooch by a relative. The two calves here are named Ginger and Ady.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRd1bcZhO6R/
A face meant for Instagram.
This is one photogenic calf! That golden-brown coat and adorable set of eyes. This little one could likely become a social media influencer in no time flat.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTkZ2kNjTwd/
You smell alright.
There are only two groups of people who will tell you when you smell bad: really close friends or people who do not like you at all. These two calves are very good friends and they like how each other smells.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BINgZ14gCR5/
What is all this?!
Imagine it. You were just minding your own business, living inside a cow’s womb, then all this commotion happens, there are all these loud sounds and bright lights and people all around. Well, that’s the first day of any calf’s life.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKBk38aADJB/
All of me loves all of you!
Kids and animals can often have the most wholesome of relationships you can find anywhere. Happy children and happy animals are basically the most important things that the planet produces.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BW2RL5YAyv_/
Please take the filters off your camera.
This little calf doesn’t know that the person taking the photo is using a filter that puts little hearts around their head. Do we really need filters to make Highland cattle calves look cuter? Yes, yes we do.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPgoGAklso5/
Giving a calf a big kiss.
Some of you will find this photo incredibly adorable. Others will find it a little gross. We Google searched examples of cattle-to-human diseases and didn’t find anything, however, so we figure this photo is just adorable. Just don’t kiss any pigeons or rats.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUucWL_FzlC/
I said make a normal face for the picture!
This Highland cattle calf is demonstrating how not to pose for a formal picture. After all that money their parents spent on them getting groomed, and this is how they are going to look in their class picture.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BK0GMLthI_N/
Left alone to figure out the world.
When alone and sitting in a field, all one has to do is think. Think about how good that grass tasted earlier today or how refreshing drinking from that bottle was. Also, it’s a great place to pee.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUC8V7SgBwU/
Giving a wink to the camera.
Doesn’t the calf in this photo look like the one character on a mokumentary show (i.e the Office) who is aware of the film crew? He’s looking at the camera as if to say, “Do you see what I have to put up with here?”
https://www.instagram.com/p/1OgTO4yafi/
Who put these fences between us?
Sometimes fenced-in animals can seem like they are in prison. These cattle have plenty of room to move around, however, and have loving caregivers looking after them.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BG-RRnFDiXP/
Shorty and the Big Guy
Despite their difference in size, these two look like a couple of good friends. One uses their size and strength while the other uses their intellect and street smarts. Together, there is nothing they can’t accomplish.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CL7VBielrLn/
Some love from mom.
Even when calves start to get a little older, they still need some love from mom. Also, they often need their laundry done as well.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLXYdL6lIT_/
Flower child growing up.
Farms that raise Highland cattle calves seem to have a lot of nature for them to stroll through. This little one is starting to get older but still loves to frolick through the flowers.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJY9b1AFymi/
Flower cattle and humans.
Doesn’t this photo make you want to run around in a field of flowers with some cattle? Perhaps if you visit the Ratia Ranch they will let you do exactly that.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHlg6_CF85Q/
I kiss the bull.
When calves get a little older, they learn to dole out affection just like they received from others. Here is a little guy who just wants to give this big tough bull a kiss.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHVtU6Nl7c_/
First winter.
This little calf is gearing up for their first winter. Their shaggy coat provides some protection from the cold and their hooves allow them to play around in the snow.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKemTY6l5RR/
So much Highland cattle love!
We think this photo sums up perfectly the relationship between humans and Highland cattle calves. Both the little calf and the little girl seem happy and content to be in one another’s company.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLSNkP-l1I-/
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.