About 60 pure bred beasts from several West coast folds are being sent to Loch Katrine by the Forestry Commission.
The project will see the animals, known for their grazing capacity, used to maintain open space in the woodland. 
The scheme is part of the Great Trossachs Forest project which aims to transform an area of patchwork woodland into a forest the size of Glasgow.
 
The animals are the first domestic livestock to graze the site for seven years after sheep were removed by Scottish Water from the area in 2002 over water contamination fears.
Loch Katrine, owned by Scottish Water, serves as the main water supply for Glasgow and the surrounding area.
Scotland's environment minister, Roseanna Cunningham, said the introduction of the cattle to the site marked a return to the traditional land management of past centuries.
She said: "We all try to keep up with the fast pace of progress and that can mean we lose sight of traditional ways of doing things. Sometimes this is no bad thing but occasionally we miss a trick. 
"This project is reviving techniques that will benefit the immediate environment, that will enrich the visitor experience and which, longer term, could have a beneficial effect on the rural economy."
'Heavy trampling'
Forestry Commission Scotland leased the Loch Katrine site from Scottish Water in 2005, with a view to expanding the surrounding native woodlands.
Donald Hendry, for the Commission said: "By turning to this traditional land use we are taking advantage of Highland cattle as ideal conservation cattle.
"They are perfect for the job because they are much less selective grazers than deer and sheep.
"Their heavy trampling of the ground can be a useful tool in stimulating seedling regeneration, and at higher grazing densities, the cattle will maintain open space in the woodland."
Mr Hendry said the grazing impact of the cattle will be monitored to ensure the right number of animals were on site at the right time.