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Why I Love North Ronaldsay Sheep

 I have two North Ronaldsay sheep - Bobble in the photo above, and Mitten in the one below. They're both wethers and were the first sheep I owned, they're 10 years old now.

I'd always wanted sheep and saw these at a local RBST farm. One followed me all the way around wanting a fuss, so I was smitten. North Ronaldsay's are the sheep that famously were walled out on the island and survived by eating seaweed. After several generations on the mainland the need for seaweed in the diet ceases though so no need to worry about regular beach forages!

They're brilliant, tough, hardy characters and I just love them. Bobble actually had an operation for bladder stones aged two, and recovered amazingly. Obviously I spend a lot of time with my sheep so they're very tame. They are just lovely characters to be with, Ronaldsay's are always amazingly individual, and quite fiercely so. Tends to blow the "people are like sheep" thing out of the water, Ronaldsay's are more uniquely individual than most people I know!

As a spinner Ronaldsay fleeces are variable. Bobble's is very fine, whereas Mitten felts in a puff of wind and rain, so we use it for slug repellent. I did have a third sheep who I sadly lost some years ago and his fleece was completely different again, with a lovely long staple length. For fibre purposes a small flock would produce a lovely variety of yarns.

I also have two commercial mule sheep and much as I love them I far prefer the little native sheep. In terms of food they can survive on relatively poor grazing, with a bit of additional hay and hard feed, and they're really resilient little sheep. Albeit mine are spoiled and run for shelter in any adverse weather conditions! I think it's a shame we don't see more of them about - they're in the vulnerable category on the RBST watchlist.  I'd certainly say if you're looking to start out with a few sheep and you can find a breeder they're an excellent sheep to have.


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