Spring has brought a very special new arrival to the fields around The Old Vicarage – the first Highland calf of the season has been born.
We welcome a beautiful little heifer, born to Hattie, one of our much-loved Highland cows. Mother and calf are doing well and can be seen grazing in the nearby fields, where guests staying at The Old Vicarage enjoy watching the gentle, shaggy-coated herd grazing peacefully against the backdrop of the Yorkshire Dales.
As is tradition with the Marrick Park fold* of Highlands, each calf is given a name beginning with the same letter as its mother. This means our newest arrival will have a name starting with H. We also like to favour Gaelic-style spellings, reflecting the Highland heritage of this wonderful breed. Any suggestions are welcome!
Spring is always a magical time to visit the Yorkshire Dales. The days are getting longer, the countryside is waking up after winter and there is new life everywhere – from lambs in neighbouring fields to our own fluffy Highland calves.
Our friendly Highland cattle are always a highlight for guests at The Old Vicarage, and we are very happy to introduce visitors to the newest member of the fold.
Who knows – if you come and stay with us soon, you might even see others being born.
*Fun fact - A group of Highland cattle is specifically known as a fold. While they are technically a herd, the term "fold" is historically used because, in winter, these cattle were traditionally brought into open, stone-walled shelters called "folds" to protect them from the harsh Scottish weather.
