A rare surprise - twins for Kyla!

Posted: 08/06/2025

We were recently treated to a very special – and very rare – event here at The Old Vicarage. One of our Highland cows - Kyla - surprised us all by giving birth not to one, but two beautiful calves.

Heading into the field early one evening to check if Kyla had calved, we spotted a lovely little black calf nestled close by. But then, just a few paces away, we saw a second brown calf standing quietly on its own. A spare calf? Surely not! But yes – Kyla had given birth to twins, an extraordinary and unexpected sight!

Twins in Highland cattle are highly unusual, much less common than in other beef breeds, so this double arrival has caused quite a stir! The first few days were a little challenging as we worked hard to keep all three together – carrying calves up and down across the hilly, hummocky field – but we’re delighted to report that mother and twins are now thriving.

Kyla is producing enough milk for both, and their synchronised suckling is a joy to watch. They’re growing stronger each day and becoming a familiar sight to anyone walking past the field.

We’ve not yet settled on names, so we’re turning to you for help! We’d love suggestions for Scottish Gaelic-inspired names, beginning with the letter K – one for a heifer and one for a bull calf.

Please send your ideas to julia@marrickpark.com – we can’t wait to hear them!