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Blackdown Flock of Pedigree Shetland Sheep
One of our breeding ewes with lambs
Shetlands have been on the harsh landscape of Scotland’s Shetland Isles for over a thousand years and are thought to have been brought over to this Country by the Vikings. Shetlands are farmed for their beautiful soft wool and their succulent meat. They produce numerous shades of wool including white, fawn, grey and brown, bluish grey and black. Their wool is so fine that a traditionally crocheted shawl will pass through a wedding ring. The flavour of Shetland meat is unsurpassed. It is naturally lean and has a supremely tender quality.
The Blackdown Flock was started in September 2007 and we now have over 40 ewes and rams. This year we have only tupped (put to the ram) 9 of our breeding ewes. The other ewes will be rested until 2011. We find that by resting them for a year after they have lambed produces better lambs and healthier ewes. We start lambing early April 2011 just as the Spring grass starts to emerge. These lambs will either be kept for their wool, added to our breeding stock or sold off for breeding or sent off for their meat. Their beautiful soft wool will be removed early Summer and sent away to make scarves, throws and knee blankets which we will sell either on our website or at Craft Shows.
