The Luing (pronounced "Ling") breed was developed by the Cadzow brothers Shane, Denis and Ralph on the island of Luing off the west coast of Scotland. The Cadzows wanted a cow herd that would thrive in that harsh environment and produce quality beef calves economically. 

 

Beginning in 1947 they created their new breed by crossing the best Shorthorn x Highland females they could acquire with the Shorthorn bull Cruggleton Alister. The offspring of this mating were then bred back to each other and also to other Shorthorn x Highlands creating a breed that was fixed at approximately 5/8th Shorthorn and 3/8th Highland.  After many generations, the breed type became firmly established and the British Government officially recognized Luing as a breed in its own right in 1965. 

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In the years that followed the Cadzow family tirelessly promoted their new breed the length and breadth of the country. This involved putting on demonstrations of cattle at agricultural shows and opens days. As the breed grew so did the fledgling Luing Society supported by many keen and dedicated new breeders. Ronnie McLauchlan was appointed the first Luing Society Fieldsman in 1972, a post he held for 25 years, and his contribution to the breed was enormous. With their combined efforts they grew the market from 6 bulls and 55 heifers at the first sale to many hundred sold every year.

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The Cadzows also exported live cattle and semen to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Uruguay to successfully establish Luing populations in those countries. 

 

I have uploaded two booklets giving a more detailed account of the breed's history written by the Cadzows themselves and including many early photographs in the Resource section under "Early Breed Literature". Make sure to also check out the archive video featuring Shane and Denis Cadzow on my Luing Video page. 

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