On a hilltop in Marshall, Arkansas, not far from the Buffalo National River, sits a 100-acre farm owned by Stacy and Tirso Beltran. And on Buffalo River Highland Farm there are chickens, five full-size horses, two miniature horses, and Black Angus cattle.
But nothing gets a fraction of the attention that Winston, Agatha, Charlotte, Ruby, and Penelope do. These Highland cows, known for their easy temperament, long wavy coats, and impressive horns, have added a spot of whimsy to this working farm. So much so that Stacy often finds herself behind on the rest of her chores because she’s spent too much time cuddling and brushing the cows during their morning routine.
“Highland cattle have a very well-earned reputation for being so calm and gentle, and from what I’ve learned, that’s likely a combination of good breeding and regular, positive interaction with people from a young age,” Stacy says. “While every animal has its own personality, Highlands have been known for their docile temperament for generations.
“I’ve found that the more time you spend with them, the more they seem to trust you. Building that relationship has been one of the most rewarding parts of owning them, and I love watching visitors experience that same connection when a calf walks up looking for scratches or affection.”
Winston was the first Highland to arrive on the farm. “Since he already had the beginnings of his horns, I was a little cautious around him at first. I quickly learned that he wasn’t especially interested in being petted, but if you brought out a good scratchy brush, he’d happily stand there while you scratched his neck. Other than that, Winston seemed like a typical cow.
“After a while, I think Winston grew tired of waiting for me to find him a companion. He eventually discovered a gap in the fence and made his way over to join our Black Angus herd. Honestly, I couldn’t blame him. He thoroughly enjoyed roughhousing with the Angus calves.”
Next came the girls. “Agatha and Charlotte are eight-month-old heifers who arrived together and have become wonderful companions for one another. Ruby is five years old and we’re hopeful she’s expecting what will be our very first calf born here at Buffalo River Highland Farm. We’re all anxiously awaiting that extremely exciting milestone.
“Penelope, our newest addition, is seven months old and has already made incredible progress learning to trust people.
“My original plan was simply to raise and sell Highland calves. I wanted to invest my time and energy into animals that would become beloved additions to other family farms rather than eventually entering the food industry.”
But that didn’t feel quite right. “As I continued talking with Highland breeders in other states and learning everything I could about the breed, I was introduced to the idea of agritourism. Until then, I had never even considered inviting people onto the farm. The more I learned, the more it made sense. Instead of waiting three or four years for calves to grow up and begin producing offspring, agritourism offered a way to generate income while sharing these incredible animals with others.
“That realization completely changed the direction of Buffalo River Highland Farm. Suddenly there was a long list of behind-the-scenes work to do before welcoming our first guests. We improved the barn, researched Arkansas agritourism laws, obtained the proper liability insurance, added safety equipment and signage, and most importantly, spent countless hours making sure the calves were calm, comfortable, and enjoyed interacting with people.
“When we officially opened in June 2026, Winston remained with his Angus friends while Agatha and Charlotte became the stars of our Highland Calf Experience. Penelope has since joined the group to round out the trio.”
The summer of 2026, like most Arkansas summers, had days when the temperatures were in the triple digits. Visits with the girls were carefully controlled and capped at one hour in the morning. That was fine with visitors who came to get close to the Highlands. They’d brush the cows, hug their necks, and take photos while Stacy gave them insights into the breed. She plans to continue offering the visits through the fall and winter, which could be especially enticing since the cows will be showing off their winter coats.
The origin of Highland cows, or Heilan coos in Scottish, can be traced back to the Outer Hebrides and Scottish Highlands in the sixth century. They have a soft undercoat, a rougher outer coat, and impressive horns. The fringe that hangs over the cow’s eyes, the fringe that makes them look both adorable and a bit rebellious, is called a dossan. In the rugged Scottish Highlands, the cattle often lived inside with their owners during brutal winters, which likely accounts for the breed’s affinity for people. Queen Elizabeth kept Highland cattle at her Scottish estate at Balmoral, continuing a royal connection to the breed that dated to Queen Victoria’s era. The breed arrived in the United States in the 1890s and began adapting to its new climate.
For Stacy, adding Highland cows has created more work, but also more peace. Grooming them in the morning is a nice transition from waking up and making breakfast for her family to the daily chores of farm life. In addition to farming, she’s homeschooling two of her sons. She finds her happiness increases when she gets to share her fold with others.
“So far, my favorite feedback from visitors is hearing how relaxing the experience is. From the beginning, I’ve tried to create an atmosphere that’s peaceful and unhurried. We visit, laugh, and carry on conversations, but I also recognize when someone is simply enjoying being with the calves. I’m perfectly comfortable letting those quiet moments happen because sometimes people just need the chance to slow down and take it all in.
“I’ve had guests sit on the ground brushing the calves, others stretch out on the bench while petting them, and some who spend the entire hour doing nothing more than quietly loving on the girls. Watching people leave feeling more relaxed than when they arrived has been one of the most rewarding parts of opening our farm to visitors.”
Stacy, who’s always been happiest outdoors, is living the life she couldn’t have imagined a few years ago. But then she found Winston, and she knew something wonderful was on the horizon. Driving home, his name came to her. “It was almost as if it had been given to me,” she says.
There are some weeks that feel a lot like the movie Groundhog Day. Times when Stacy has to ask her husband what day it is because they all seem alike. But then one of her Highland cows will follow her around the pasture, and Stacy will stop and give it scratches or, if there’s time, she’ll lie down beside them for a while, just to enjoy the companionship. It all comes back to her then. The joy that is her life. The happy surprise that is Buffalo River Highland Farm.
PLAN YOUR VISIT: Experience the Highlands for yourself. Learn more about Buffalo River Highland Farm, upcoming availability, and the Highland Calf Experience at buffaloriverhighlandfarm.com.
