When your place of business sits high atop a mountain (elevation 2,700 feet) on 45 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains, one can usually be forgiven for a little boasting. And we really do believe we have something special here at Wildberry Lodge. Why? We are just minutes from downtown Asheville, NC state parks, the French Broad River and the Biltmore Estate. Our amazing Great Room is our show stopper, with a 32-foot high stacked stone fireplace. Our unique log construction is fully renewable and recyclable, has a lower carbon footprint than any other building material, and is extremely energy-efficient due to the high thermal mass of the logs, which enable them to store and delay the transfer of heat. All pretty neat “stuff,” wouldn’t you say? But we’ve got one more thing that sets us apart from any other hotel or B&B: we have our own fold of Scottish Highland cattle – and we just happen to have the cutest baby cattle in Asheville NC you’ve ever laid eyes upon! And guess what? Our little boy and girl need names!

What Exactly Are Scottish Highland Cattle?

Highland cattle are the oldest registered breed of cattle in the world; the Highland Cattle Society was formed in 1884. Highland cattle are direct descendants of the Hamitic Longhorn, which first appeared in Britain around the second millennium BC (a looooong time ago). Originally, the cattle had two sub-groups: the West Highland, or Kyloe which were smaller, brindle or black coloring, and located in what are called The Outer Hebrides, an island chain off Scotland’s west coast. The other group was known as mainland cattle, physically larger than their western cousins, and usually a grey-gold-tan (dun) or red in color. The two groups were merged together, and today Scottish Highland cattle typically are red, black, yellow, white, brindle, silver, or dun in color.

What Makes Highland Cattle So Ideal for Western North Carolina?

Highland cattle seem to thrive in harsh conditions; in fact, they seem to enjoy it. Although the state of North Carolina is a southern state, Western North Carolina is a “different breed” (pun fully intended) from the rest of the state. Our mountainous region features weather variations that the rest of our state may not experience. Cold weather and snow do not appear to bother the Highland cattle. Their double coat of hair (a long coarse outer layer combined with a soft inner layer) protects them from the elements, and they require little in the way of shelter. The southern summer heat also has no discernible effect on them, and folds thrive even further south in Texas, Louisiana and Georgia. Their long eyelashes and thick forelock of hair is a natural protection from harsh weather and insects. Highlands are easier to maintain health-wise; they do not stress as much as regular cattle, and their genetic makeup leaves them less susceptible to more common bovine ailments.

Highland Cattle Know How to “Mind Their Manners”

As if shaggy good looks, “bed-head” and super cute faces are not enough, Highland Cattle are notable for their extremely friendly temperament. Often they will seek out people on their own just to get their attention! Their innate social order means that they know their place within their fold, mind their manners and generally never fight amongst themselves.

NAME THE CALVES CONTEST

We have a boy and a girl, and we’d like to ask your help in naming them. Since they are Scottish Highlands, we are asking for real, honest-to-goodness Scottish names. And we will even reward the winners with a $100 Wildberry Lodge gift certificate for each winner (one for the boy, one for the girl). Please click here to submit your entries.

NAME THE CALVES CONTEST RULES

• Only one entry per person.
• Entries will be accepted from July 1 through July 31, 2020.
• The winning names will be announced via social media on August 1, 2020.
• The winners will receive notification via email on August 1, 2020.
• The person who submits a winning name will receive a $100 gift certificate toward a stay at Wildberry Lodge.
• You must be at least 18 years old to participate.

NAME THE CALVES CONTEST WINNERS!

We are pleased to announce the winning names of our two Scottish Highland calves! We had a great response, and we would like to to give a shout out to all who submitted names. Entries came from a wide variety of locations, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, and as far north as Wayne, Pennsylvania (just outside of Philadelphia, on the Main Line).

The winning entries were chosen from South Carolina (girl) and Illinois (boy).

1. Our baby girl is now called “Skye,” thanks to Lacie Lisa Barber of Greer, South Carolina.
2. And our boy is now named “MacLeod,” thanks to Jim Neururer of Palatine, Illinois!

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Winter, spring, summer or fall – Wildberry Lodge is an ideal location no matter the time of year. Spacious, well-appointed guest rooms with plush, comfy chairs and beds and luxurious private baths await. All rooms feature tranquil views of lush greenery and our spectacular mountains. Call us at 828-683-2525 or reserve your stay online today!