Soay sheep are classified as an “At Risk” breed of sheep by the RBST.  This means that there are fewer than 1500 registered breeding ewes.  

Our Soay sheep sport a variety of different fleece colours.  

Ewes are either horned, scurred, or polled ~ that is to say that sometimes they have full horns, but occasionally they have small or no horns.  

These traits reflect the feral population on St. Kilda.

Diversity is a feature of the “wild” flocks that continue to be studied by scientists interested in their genetic makeup.  

Having visited the remote island of St. Kilda, off the west coast of Scotland, it was a privilege to see these most primitive of sheep living and roaming in an unfettered environment.

Welfare and Characteristics

As with all sheep, Soay need adequate pasture, a place to shelter from severe weather conditions, and a supply of fresh water.  They tend to shed their fleece naturally in summer, but any residual fleece needs to be shorn by autumn.  

Soay are deer-like in their behaviour.  Ewes lamb easily, and the lambs are very small.

They are very social sheep and can pine when separated from friends and family.  We take this into account when placing animals in new homes.    

Further advice gladly given.