Our Cattle
Our History
The Drumphin Aberdeen Angus herd, established in 2002 by Jo and Osla Guest, was founded on a commitment to traditional cattle. Starting with 14 "half Native" heifers and a bull from Geordie and Julia Soutar at Dunlouise, the aim was simple: to prioritize grass efficiency over grain, aligning with the natural strengths of a ruminant's digestive system. Today, the herd has grown to 190 pedigree Aberdeen Angus breeding cows, half of which are Native, with the rest being “half Natives.”
Native Aberdeen Angus Cattle
Native Aberdeen Angus cattle, free from imported bloodlines, are the pure descendants of the original 19th-century breed. Unlike the grain-finished continental-style cattle introduced in the 1970s, Natives retain the traits that made the original Angus famous: deep bodies designed for forage efficiency, producing high-quality, marbled beef. This intramuscular fat not only enhances flavor but also makes the cattle hardy enough to thrive outdoors in tough weather. With their distinctive wide, short heads and table-like broad backs, Native Angus are as functional as they are visually striking.
By the 1990s, Native Aberdeen Angus numbers had plummeted to endangered levels, with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust sounding the alarm. Geordie Soutar led a revival by gathering the remaining Native cow families into the Dunlouise herd, preserving their genetics and demonstrating their economic and ecological value. Thanks to his efforts, Native Angus are now recognized as a distinct type by the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society, searchable on the Society website and marked “Native Bred” on pedigree certificates.
Today, Native Angus cattle are prized for producing premium beef, thriving in low-input regenerative farming, and excelling in conservation grazing. Their resurgence highlights a renewed appreciation for the breed’s unique qualities and sustainable farming potential.
Breeds we use.
At Drumphin, we've consistently favored Native Angus bulls, though we’ve trialed larger modern types. The results—calving difficulties, higher feed needs, harder-to-maintain body condition, and shorter productive lifespans—confirmed our belief in the superior performance of Native Angus. This experience solidified our herd policy: focus on quality Native and half Native cattle. Our herd includes stock from nine Native cow families, including Jipsey, Juana, Erica, Cherry Blossom, Kindness, Prides, and Eulima Nell of Aldbar.
Crossing Native Angus with modern Angus has also proven effective, producing “half Native” cattle that combine the thickness and manageability of Natives with the larger size of modern Angus, likely benefiting from hybrid vigor. Native bulls, tightly bred, reliably pass on their traits, improving overall stock quality.
Drumphin’s herd has gained from exceptional Native genetics sourced from Dunlouise, Champagne, Spinningloch, Laverstoke, and Craigowmill herds. With most calving in spring, alongside smaller summer and autumn groups, the herd is managed using six stock bulls to ensure quality and consistency.
Dunlouise Enterprise U692.
Dunlouise Clova Brig W747
Dunlouise Mr Brexit V706
Craigowmill Knight X355
Craigowmill Jipsey Pyman W253
Drumphin Kelso X210
Aberdeen Angus Stock for Sale
A select number of the best Native calves are kept for bulls.
Bulling heifers, both Native and half Native Steers as forward stores.
Get in touch.
If you are looking for Aberdeen Angus cows reared in the best, sustainable conditions in Scotland then get in touch with us using the below form, or give us a call.