A Belted Galloway cow and young calf in dawn's early light, surrounded by heather. Painted in acrylics on a deep sided canvas. No one knows for sure exactly where the much-loved ‘Beltie’ came from, but the most popular story is that it’s a mix of the ancient Galloway and the Dutch Belted cow, known as the Lakenvelder. This likely happened back in the 17th and 18th centuries, when trade between Britain and the Low Countries was booming.

The Galloway itself is a truly old and hardy breed, native to the beautiful rolling hills of south-west Scotland, particularly around the old counties of Kirkcudbright and Wigtown. While they’re best known for their sleek black coats, Galloways have also appeared in a range of colours over the years—including brindle, red, dun, white, and even brocket-faced. Eventually, some developed that distinctive white band around their middle—giving us the iconic ‘belted’ look we know and love today.