As their name indicates, Highland cattle originate from the Highlands and the Islands off the west coast of Scotland, an area known for its hard climate. The first specimens of Highland cattle made their appearance in Canada during the 1880s in Winnipeg (Manitoba), and in Strathclair (Nova Scotia) about the same time.

In the beginning, there were two breeds: the Kyloe, slightly smaller and usually black, which lived mainly on the islands off the west coast of northern Scotland, and another breed, bigger and generally reddish, which lived in the remote Highlands.

The earliest records discovered mentioning a pure breed are those of the Highland breed, and go back to 1884. At that time, ranchers in the American west came to realize the natural qualities of this breed and imported them in order to improve the characteristics of their herds. In this way, Highland cattle made a significant contribution to the success of the American beef-producing industry.