HIGHLANDS farmer Duncan MacDonald was so impressed by the good looks of a 28-month-old Aberdeen Angus heifer in a sale-ring that he bought it for more than #1500 as a birthday present for his wife. The all-black heifer, dubbed Mo by Anne MacDonald, joined the 45-strong herd at Craggan Sheaig, Glenurquhart, and became the farm pet.

Now police have been alerted after the animal went missing from its field. Mrs MacDonald, 45, said: ''We just moved the herd to the roadside field last week and my husband discovered she was gone on Saturday.'' A police spokesman said there have been occasional instances of rustling in the Highlands, but it was unusual for cattle to be targeted.