HEBRIDEAN SHEEP & WOOL
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The black Hebridean sheep, which graze the
fields and dunes here at Camusdarach, are descended from
the original hardy breeds brought over by the Vikings. In each area they developed their own subtle differences Leading to the 'so-called' Shetland, Ronaldsay, Soay & St Kilda breeds among others. The term Hebridean is now used for the St. Kilda breed after its resurrection from near extinction. The Shetland, Ronalday, Soay etc. are still maintained as distinct breeds. |
Although in 1973 the Rare Breeds Survival Trust identified the Hebridean as a breed in danger of extinction, the re-introduction of the breed has been incredibly successful. No longer in danger, flocks of Hebrideans are widely spread throughout the UK and Europe.
| The Hebridean, 2 or 4 horned, is a small, fine
boned, slow maturing breed which thrives even on poor
pasture. The wool is dense and basically black but bleaches brown as it grows and may go grey with age, especially on the hind- quarters. The carcase is lean and low in cholesterol but has good marbling-fat leading to juicy and succulent meat. |
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Hebrideans thrive well on and are of great
benefit to fragile environments such as dune-land,
machair, heath and moorland. Their use here at Camusdarach has hastened the establishment and spread of soft under grasses on the dunes which helps to stabilise a fragile area. They have also been used at Culloden Moor to control the spread of unwanted, damaging acid grasses on the battlefield site. |
| HEBRIDEAN WOOL For a long time Hebridean wool was only considered suitable for the manufacture of felt. However an increasing interest world-wide in natural fibres and naturally coloured materials has encouraged the production of hand and commercially spun knitting-wool. This produces superbly soft and warm, dark to light brown sweaters. Recently we sent 75 kg of wool for spinning and this is available as fine Aran wool in either 50 g balls at £2 each or 100 g hanks at £4 each. Patterns can also be supplied. We have also sent fleeces to the Hebridean Wool House and we now stock a range of their products. In 2005 we also sent fleeces to the Isle of Mull Weavers who produce the most wonderful Tweeds and design their own range of clothes. We can arrange to send wool by mail order so please contact us either by e-mail, post or telephone. |
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MEAT
Meat from our Hebridean flock is available for sale at Camusdarach. This is sold under the umbrella label of Lochaber Larder, a local biodiversity action group. This is an example of Real, Local, Slow Food as promoted by Pam Rodway. At the moment we are unable to offer this on mail-order but if you are visiting our area call in and ask if there is any. Bon appetit!
| For enquiries/orders, contact: A. Simpson Camusdarach Arisaig Inverness-shire PH39 4NT Scotland Tel/Fax: 01687 450221 E-mail: CamDarach@aol.com We
also offer accommodation: |
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Camusdarach
Page last updated: March 2006
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