Scottish Longhair (Highland Fold and Straight)

Our temperament information rests on the CFA's description of the Scottish Fold, and the longhair variety is part of the same breed. According to the CFA these cats are affectionate, calm and people-oriented. They are quiet and curious, usually patient with children, and can learn simple tricks. They may be reserved with strangers and with other cats.

The CFA also notes that they don't cope well with long stretches alone. They suit someone who is home during the day, or who can set aside regular time for play and chat.

It suits a calm home, with people who want time with their cat and are willing to keep up a longhaired cat's grooming routine.

The story begins in 1961 in Scotland's Tayside region: according to the CFA, Susie, a white farm cat with folded ears, and her daughter Snooks laid the foundation of the breed. Breeders crossed this line with domestic cats and British Shorthairs.

Organizations classify the cat differently:

• CFA: The longhair Scottish Fold gained championship status in 1992; since then the breed has been split into shorthair and longhair divisions. Since 2022 the straight-eared cats have been in championship classes too. The CFA page doesn't use the name "Highland."
• WCF: Registers the Highland Fold and Highland Straight separately. Its code list shows the Highland Fold recognized by WCF, CFA, TICA, ACF, CCCA, NZCF, SACC and LOOF, and the Highland Straight by WCF, TICA, LOOF, ACF, CCCA and NZCF.
• FIFe: Doesn't register or show cats with folded ears or cats descended from one with osteochondrodysplasia.

For the shorthaired line, see our Scottish Straight and Scottish Fold pages.

A medium-sized, round-faced cat with full cheeks. According to the CFA, females may be somewhat smaller; no weight range is given for the breed. In the straight-eared variety the ears are medium to small, rounded at the tips and set apart; in the folded variety they fall forward.

• Coat: In the longhair variety the CFA looks for a medium-long to long coat with a noticeable ruff around the neck.
• Colors: Every genetically possible color and pattern is accepted: solids, tabbies, tortoiseshells, bi-colors, smokes, shadeds and pointed patterns. The silver tabby point pattern in this page's photo is one of them.
• Eye color: Tied to coat color; some white and bi-color patterns can have blue or odd eyes.

According to the CFA, both varieties get by with weekly combing, but longhaired cats need more attention to keep the coat from matting. They shed a little all year and more in spring and fall.

• Combing: Once a week, more often during shedding. Check the places where tangles form; don't try to cut out a tight mat yourself, show it to your vet or a groomer.
• Nails: A scratching post is a must; trim nails the way your vet shows you.
• Ears: International Cat Care says redness, itching, head shaking, discharge or odor means the ears should be checked by a vet.
• Play: Short hunting games and safe high places; a cat tree and a window perch are things this breed likes.

For details see cat grooming and why cats love high places.

We found no source saying a special food is needed; a balanced, complete cat food suited to its age and lifestyle is enough. Measure the food, subtract treats from the daily amount, work out the daily amount with your vet and weigh your cat once a month. A long coat can hide weight gain, so the scale is the most reliable measure. Ask your vet about the importance of ideal weight in a line that has joint concerns.

The information below is for general awareness; for diagnosis and treatment, talk to your veterinarian.

The fold gene and osteochondrodysplasia

What folds the Highland Fold's ears is a dominant change in a gene called TRPV4. The same change disrupts cartilage and bone development and can cause a progressive, painful joint disease called osteochondrodysplasia. According to UFAW the changes can be seen on x-rays from 7 weeks of age, the disease lasts for life and has no cure. Cats Protection writes that it can show up as short, thick legs, a stiff tail, swollen ankles and joint inflammation. For a detailed account, see our Scottish Fold page.

Severity varies a lot from cat to cat: in a small 2023 study in Italy, only one of the 12 Scottish Folds carrying the gene showed clinical signs. But because cats hide pain, no visible signs doesn't mean no pain. UFAW recommends that fold-eared cats not be bred, Cats Protection suggests choosing a cat without folded ears, and a 2025 review in the journal Animal Welfare reaches the same conclusion.

The straight-eared Highland Straight

According to UFAW, straight-eared kittens from a mating between a fold-eared and a straight-eared cat don't carry the gene and don't show the disease. In the 2023 Italian study none of the 5 Scottish Straights tested carried it. But a 2026 study in Japan showed that seven cats born with folded ears had their ears straighten as they grew and all carried the gene ("cryptic folds"). So straight ears alone aren't a guarantee; DNA testing is needed. Cats Protection also doesn't fully rule out risk in straight-eared cats from Scottish Fold lines.

Another 2026 study in Japan shows that testing works: from 2017 to 2024 the share of Scottish Folds with two copies of the gene (the most severely affected) fell from 14.2% to 1.9%. In other words, careful testing can stop such cats from being born.

How can you spot joint pain?

Cats hide pain very well. If yours jumps or climbs less than before or struggles to, moves stiffly, doesn't want to use the litter box, hides more or gets grumpy when touched, show your vet.

Other topics

• Ear health: If you notice discharge, odor, head shaking or itching, show your vet, as International Cat Care advises.
• Heart and kidneys: We found no evidence of a breed-specific heart disease for the Scottish Longhair. For polycystic kidney disease (PKD), Cats Protection writes that Scottish Folds are at higher risk; ask the breeder for that test result.

We found no lifespan study for the Scottish Longhair, so we're not giving a number. Ideal weight, regular vet checkups, neutering and a safe home matter most. In fold-eared cats, joint disease can be the main factor in quality of life, which is why spotting pain early is important.

• Consider a shelter too: Purebred cats and longhaired look-alike mixes end up in shelters; it's worth looking there as well.
• If you buy from a breeder: Ask to see the parents. If you're considering the folded variety, weigh the welfare views above; even if you want the straight-eared variety (Highland Straight), ask for the TRPV4 DNA results. The CFA recommends pairing fold-eared cats only with straight-eared ones and checking every pairing with DNA testing; stay away from breeders who mate two fold-eared cats.
• Red flags: Sellers who won't show the mother, offer no paperwork, rush you to buy now or promise a "healthy" kitten without test results.
• Legal registration: In Türkiye, microchipping and PETVET registration are mandatory for cats. Details in our PETVET registration and microchip post.
• First days: Our first week with a new cat post walks you through it.