New Arrival at Prime Four! Welcome, Wallace!

Among our many wildlife visitors, Prime Four is also home to a resident herd of cattle who roam the northern pastures of the park. We’re delighted to share the joyful news of a new arrival — Klara has given birth to a healthy calf named Wallace in mid-June!

Following a successful insemination process, Klara’s maternal instincts kicked in immediately. She has once again proven herself to be a fantastic mum, and both she and Wallace are thriving and settling in beautifully.

Our herd is made up of pure bred pedigree Shetland cattle — known in Scots as Shetland kye. This small but hardy breed originates from the Shetland Islands and is classified as “at risk” by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. With a lineage tracing back to cattle brought by the Vikings between 700–1100 AD, the Shetland is a uniquely resilient and historic breed. Most have distinctive black and white markings, but red and white and solid colours are also re-emerging. Their delicately shaped, Viking-style horns curve inward and upward, adding to their striking appearance.

Hester and Klara, our half-sister Shetlands, were brought to Prime Four in November 2022 from the Scottish Wildlife Trust Fleecefaulds Herd. They perform the crucial role of conservation grazing — naturally managing the northern parkland’s pastures.

• Hester welcomed Kasper in May 2023.
• Klara gave birth to Magnus in July 2024.
• Now, Wallace joins the family in June 2025!

As both Kasper and Magnus were bulls, they were moved on in the interest of maintaining a calm and balanced herd dynamic.

Why Shetlands Are Perfect for Prime Four

Shetlands are exceptional for conservation grazing — they eat a wide variety of vegetation, including coarse grasses, rushes, thistles, and even young heather. Their grazing habits naturally suppress invasive plant species, while their hooves help aerate and break up dense ground cover like bracken.

This low-impact, sustainable alternative to mechanical mowing enhances biodiversity across the park. By grazing selectively, Shetlands open up meadows and create diverse habitats for insects, reptiles, and amphibians — all part of Prime Four’s wider habitat and biodiversity programme.

Tough, Smart & Low Maintenance

Shetlands are known for:

• Thick, woolly coats in winter and sleek coats in summer
• Strong maternal instincts requiring little intervention
• Lower health issues than larger commercial breeds

They’re smart, self-sufficient, and ideally suited for extensive outdoor living. The herd is monitored using a virtual fencing system, linked to collars worn by the cattle, allowing the Park Management team to safely guide their movements — no physical fences required.

We’ll continue to keep you updated as our little herd grows and evolves. For now, welcome Wallace!