The 'Scotch Cattle' first appeared in the early 1820's.The movement was formed by discontented workers mainly from the pits and coal mines of the Monmouthshire valleys.

Their aims were to improve the pay and working conditions of the local workers but their tactics consisted of imposing intimidation and terror on any person or group who opposed their cause.

They existed as a secret society with its members sworn to allegiance under pain of death.

Each Valley town and village had its own cell (a pattern still adopted by current terrorist organisations) and a leader was elected, usually a person respected and feared for his aggressiveness and physical strength, known as the 'Bull' or in Welsh 'Tarw'

Their meetings were always clandestine, being held at dark in secret locations.

Victims were usually workers who had 'blacklegged' or refused to join strike action or other immigrant workers who were prepared to work for less money.

A warning would be issued to offenders - failure to comply would invoke drastic consequences.

Retribution was swift and vicious - offenders were 'scotched' which involved a visit by the Cattle, faces blackened and dressed in animal skins with the 'Tarw' wearing a headdress bearing a bull's horns.

Normally, the punitive action would be undertaken by a herd from another area to avoid recognition by local residents.


Homes were damaged, possessions destroyed and the accused persons were attacked and often severely beaten.

The Cattle's code, however, dictated that any foodstuffs found in the household would always be left intact.

Company property was also targeted, with Truck shops and other buildings ransacked and burned down.

Despite attempts by the authorities to penetrate the movement and bring the ring leaders to book, their activities continued for many years mainly due to the extreme secrecy of their organisation and the reluctance of the general population to speak against their actions.

As time passed, however, the original aim of the movement became forgotten and now innocent people were being attacked, robbed and even killed.

The movement declined after 1835 when one of their members, Edward Morgan, was convicted of murder and hanged at Monmouth Gaol.

" In Blackwood the Scotch Cattle perpertrated a deed of grave import.
On Tuesday 28th October 1834, they broke into the house of Thomas Thomas in this village.
Shots were fired and the wife of the occupant, Joan Thomas, was killed.
The leaders of the 'herd' that committed the murder were arrested, and the murderer, one Edward Morgan, was hanged. His companions were sentenced to transportation.
The effect of the drastic penalties received by those guilty of the outrage at Blackwood was to bring to an end the activities of the "Scotch Cattle".

extract from "Pages of History" - Official guide to Bedwellty U.D.C. - c.1963
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