OrkneyBoreray
@orkneyboreray.bsky.social
Our Community farms rare Orkney Boreray sheep for mutton/products & saving the breed
Book, The Lost Flock, @chelseagreen
orkneyboreray.com
++welfare, nature #agroecology
Orkney, Scotland
Book, The Lost Flock, @chelseagreen
orkneyboreray.com
++welfare, nature #agroecology
Orkney, Scotland
Pinned
OrkneyBoreray
@orkneyboreray.bsky.social
· Nov 15
For those who don't know me, Jane, or anything about the 6000 yr story of Orkney Boreray, island life, nature and Slow Food, then you may enjoy reading The Lost Flock published by Chelsea Green. For busy people who prefer listening I narrated the audio book
See orkneyboreray.com
#naturewriting
See orkneyboreray.com
#naturewriting
Reposted by OrkneyBoreray
Tomorrow in Kirkwall! Including the official launch of Prof. Jane Downes & Colin Richards' book on Bronze Age burials. Looks like fun & bones. Happy birthday @uhiarchaeology.bsky.social ! 🎂
@thinkuhi.bsky.social 🏺
@thinkuhi.bsky.social 🏺
All welcome to our tenth anniversary celebrations this Friday - Archaeology Orkney
We’re celebrating the tenth anniversary of the UHI Archaeology Institute in November and would be delighted if you could come along and join us.
archaeologyorkney.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Tomorrow in Kirkwall! Including the official launch of Prof. Jane Downes & Colin Richards' book on Bronze Age burials. Looks like fun & bones. Happy birthday @uhiarchaeology.bsky.social ! 🎂
@thinkuhi.bsky.social 🏺
@thinkuhi.bsky.social 🏺
It's salami time!
The 2025 Orkney Boreray salami is now available from Kirkness & Gorie in Kirkwall
Made by Highland Charcuterie & Smoke House Ltd the Orkney Boreray mutton is subtly flavoured with Gorse Flowers & Bog Myrtle.
Best before 5/1/26 so buy now for Christmas & Hogmanay celebrations
The 2025 Orkney Boreray salami is now available from Kirkness & Gorie in Kirkwall
Made by Highland Charcuterie & Smoke House Ltd the Orkney Boreray mutton is subtly flavoured with Gorse Flowers & Bog Myrtle.
Best before 5/1/26 so buy now for Christmas & Hogmanay celebrations
October 8, 2025 at 11:08 AM
It's salami time!
The 2025 Orkney Boreray salami is now available from Kirkness & Gorie in Kirkwall
Made by Highland Charcuterie & Smoke House Ltd the Orkney Boreray mutton is subtly flavoured with Gorse Flowers & Bog Myrtle.
Best before 5/1/26 so buy now for Christmas & Hogmanay celebrations
The 2025 Orkney Boreray salami is now available from Kirkness & Gorie in Kirkwall
Made by Highland Charcuterie & Smoke House Ltd the Orkney Boreray mutton is subtly flavoured with Gorse Flowers & Bog Myrtle.
Best before 5/1/26 so buy now for Christmas & Hogmanay celebrations
A blurry view through wet window & horizontal rain!
Getting a bit breezy in Orkney. I opened up 1 side of the electric fence so the sheep could fully access the part of the field most sheltered from the current SE wind, but over weekend will be able to access the best shelter from forecast W wind.
Getting a bit breezy in Orkney. I opened up 1 side of the electric fence so the sheep could fully access the part of the field most sheltered from the current SE wind, but over weekend will be able to access the best shelter from forecast W wind.
October 3, 2025 at 4:08 PM
A blurry view through wet window & horizontal rain!
Getting a bit breezy in Orkney. I opened up 1 side of the electric fence so the sheep could fully access the part of the field most sheltered from the current SE wind, but over weekend will be able to access the best shelter from forecast W wind.
Getting a bit breezy in Orkney. I opened up 1 side of the electric fence so the sheep could fully access the part of the field most sheltered from the current SE wind, but over weekend will be able to access the best shelter from forecast W wind.
On a damp & breezy morning I see the sun, in its annual movement from north to south across the horizon, is now rising directly in the east. By mid winter it will be hidden from sight behind the hill to the south of the farm, never rising high enough to peek above the hill.
September 18, 2025 at 5:59 AM
On a damp & breezy morning I see the sun, in its annual movement from north to south across the horizon, is now rising directly in the east. By mid winter it will be hidden from sight behind the hill to the south of the farm, never rising high enough to peek above the hill.
Another glorious day in Orkney with the sheep enjoying some visitors to the farm who came to meet the sheep and learn about their lives and history.
September 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Another glorious day in Orkney with the sheep enjoying some visitors to the farm who came to meet the sheep and learn about their lives and history.
Waiting for the ferry to Scrabster taking sheep to abattoir. Hopefully last time we do this. Working hard on getting on-farm slaughter with Tiny Trailer Abattoir in 2026 for Orkney Boreray, North Ronaldsay & other sheep farms
August 28, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Waiting for the ferry to Scrabster taking sheep to abattoir. Hopefully last time we do this. Working hard on getting on-farm slaughter with Tiny Trailer Abattoir in 2026 for Orkney Boreray, North Ronaldsay & other sheep farms
Orkney Boreray mutton sheep enjoying the sun
Look out for news about the Orkney Boreray mutton from Taste Tradition & the butchers and restaurants they'll be supplying.
The sheep look in fantastic condition having enjoyed a wonderful life for over 2 years or more at Airy Farm in Stronsay
Look out for news about the Orkney Boreray mutton from Taste Tradition & the butchers and restaurants they'll be supplying.
The sheep look in fantastic condition having enjoyed a wonderful life for over 2 years or more at Airy Farm in Stronsay
August 26, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Orkney Boreray mutton sheep enjoying the sun
Look out for news about the Orkney Boreray mutton from Taste Tradition & the butchers and restaurants they'll be supplying.
The sheep look in fantastic condition having enjoyed a wonderful life for over 2 years or more at Airy Farm in Stronsay
Look out for news about the Orkney Boreray mutton from Taste Tradition & the butchers and restaurants they'll be supplying.
The sheep look in fantastic condition having enjoyed a wonderful life for over 2 years or more at Airy Farm in Stronsay
Reposted by OrkneyBoreray
Latest #ScottishFoodGuide news scottishfoodguide.com/news/border-... #demijohn #scottishshellfish #buccleucharms #allantoninn #errington #wildhearth #mhor #hardiesmill_ethical_scotchbeef #cairnomohr #allanschilli @orkneyboreray.bsky.social #scotlandthebread #ScottishCheeseTrail #slowfood
Border Union Show, Orkney Boreray & Real Bread - Scottish Food Guide
I’d heard so much about the Border Union Show however I confess to never having been, so when I was invited to run the Cookery Theatre, set up competitions and generally support the Food Hall, it was ...
scottishfoodguide.com
August 17, 2025 at 7:58 PM
While we're very busy at Burnside getting mutton sheep over from members of the Orkney Boreray Co-op Ltd on other isles in Orkney, and preparing for the big trip down to Dingwall early next week, we make time to give the ewes and lambs a welcome treat of Balfour willow to eat.
August 16, 2025 at 3:36 PM
While we're very busy at Burnside getting mutton sheep over from members of the Orkney Boreray Co-op Ltd on other isles in Orkney, and preparing for the big trip down to Dingwall early next week, we make time to give the ewes and lambs a welcome treat of Balfour willow to eat.
Orkney Boreray mutton is coming soon!
www.macbeths.com will have it available to buy in early Sept. You can pre-order from them
Limited quantities of this fabulous rare mutton, one of only 5 Slow Food Presidium products in whole of UK
@slowfooduk.bsky.social @wendybarriescot.bsky.social
www.macbeths.com will have it available to buy in early Sept. You can pre-order from them
Limited quantities of this fabulous rare mutton, one of only 5 Slow Food Presidium products in whole of UK
@slowfooduk.bsky.social @wendybarriescot.bsky.social
August 15, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Orkney Boreray mutton is coming soon!
www.macbeths.com will have it available to buy in early Sept. You can pre-order from them
Limited quantities of this fabulous rare mutton, one of only 5 Slow Food Presidium products in whole of UK
@slowfooduk.bsky.social @wendybarriescot.bsky.social
www.macbeths.com will have it available to buy in early Sept. You can pre-order from them
Limited quantities of this fabulous rare mutton, one of only 5 Slow Food Presidium products in whole of UK
@slowfooduk.bsky.social @wendybarriescot.bsky.social
Reason why I've not been posting much recently now revealed
Orkney Boreray Co-operative Ltd are working on bringing on-farm slaughter to Burnside, plus North Ronaldsay for 2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Thx to BBC Radio Orkney for great coverage & Rob Flett for fantastic photos/video
Orkney Boreray Co-operative Ltd are working on bringing on-farm slaughter to Burnside, plus North Ronaldsay for 2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Thx to BBC Radio Orkney for great coverage & Rob Flett for fantastic photos/video
Orkney farmer plans trailer abattoir to end lengthy trips
An Orkney farmer is funding her own abattoir so her sheep no longer have to leave her farm for slaughter.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 2, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Reason why I've not been posting much recently now revealed
Orkney Boreray Co-operative Ltd are working on bringing on-farm slaughter to Burnside, plus North Ronaldsay for 2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Thx to BBC Radio Orkney for great coverage & Rob Flett for fantastic photos/video
Orkney Boreray Co-operative Ltd are working on bringing on-farm slaughter to Burnside, plus North Ronaldsay for 2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Thx to BBC Radio Orkney for great coverage & Rob Flett for fantastic photos/video
Some of the ewes and lambs at Burnside enjoying Orkney's sunshine.
July 22, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Some of the ewes and lambs at Burnside enjoying Orkney's sunshine.
Simmer dim
When the sun hangs suspended behind hills to the north illuminating the northern lands in a seemingly eternal twilight
But those of us in the north reaches of Britain know the #SummerSolstice merely starts the relentless cycle of drifting down to overwhelming darkness
When the sun hangs suspended behind hills to the north illuminating the northern lands in a seemingly eternal twilight
But those of us in the north reaches of Britain know the #SummerSolstice merely starts the relentless cycle of drifting down to overwhelming darkness
June 20, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Simmer dim
When the sun hangs suspended behind hills to the north illuminating the northern lands in a seemingly eternal twilight
But those of us in the north reaches of Britain know the #SummerSolstice merely starts the relentless cycle of drifting down to overwhelming darkness
When the sun hangs suspended behind hills to the north illuminating the northern lands in a seemingly eternal twilight
But those of us in the north reaches of Britain know the #SummerSolstice merely starts the relentless cycle of drifting down to overwhelming darkness
@northwards.bsky.socialMany thanks to northwardsltd.com for getting my @edinvalefarm.bsky.social Macbeths Butchers beef order to me in perfect chilled condition - superb @PastureForLife roast beef for Sunday lunch :-)
Northwards
From large freight logistic solutions to small packages by courier, send it with Northwards REQUEST A QUOTE From the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland, across the Highlands and North East of Scotl...
northwardsltd.com
May 15, 2025 at 4:58 PM
@northwards.bsky.socialMany thanks to northwardsltd.com for getting my @edinvalefarm.bsky.social Macbeths Butchers beef order to me in perfect chilled condition - superb @PastureForLife roast beef for Sunday lunch :-)
Reposted by OrkneyBoreray
Glad to see our study making it on the cover of @jappliedecology.bsky.social. More results from this projects are on their way on the response of pollinator resources, pollinators and birds! #naturalgrazing #rewilding
Our May issue is out now! 🐂🌎🧪
Topics include:
👉The impacts of managed forests on non-native beetles in Europe 🪲
👉Year-round grazing as a driver of plant diversity 🌱
👉The effectiveness of novel hybrid mangrove living shorelines 🌊
Read more here: besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/13652664...
Topics include:
👉The impacts of managed forests on non-native beetles in Europe 🪲
👉Year-round grazing as a driver of plant diversity 🌱
👉The effectiveness of novel hybrid mangrove living shorelines 🌊
Read more here: besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/13652664...
May 10, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Glad to see our study making it on the cover of @jappliedecology.bsky.social. More results from this projects are on their way on the response of pollinator resources, pollinators and birds! #naturalgrazing #rewilding
1st lamb for a lovely ewe I bred who managed to nearly tear off one horn just before joining Balaclava flock Vet gave her plenty of local anaesthetic, safely removed horn & she travelled well to Westray and made an excellent recovery under Kim's experienced care
Lamb has unusual tan colouring
Lamb has unusual tan colouring
May 9, 2025 at 7:07 AM
1st lamb for a lovely ewe I bred who managed to nearly tear off one horn just before joining Balaclava flock Vet gave her plenty of local anaesthetic, safely removed horn & she travelled well to Westray and made an excellent recovery under Kim's experienced care
Lamb has unusual tan colouring
Lamb has unusual tan colouring
For those in Orkney
May 7, 2025 at 3:55 AM
For those in Orkney
News from Wester House
Lambing season has finally started!
S.Kayleigh, 1st to lamb this year. The first out wasn't a straightforward birth & needed assistance, & both were yellow, indicating the birth was stressful, and it was long.
Fortunately, both lambs seem to be doing fine
Lambing season has finally started!
S.Kayleigh, 1st to lamb this year. The first out wasn't a straightforward birth & needed assistance, & both were yellow, indicating the birth was stressful, and it was long.
Fortunately, both lambs seem to be doing fine
May 3, 2025 at 11:08 AM
News from Wester House
Lambing season has finally started!
S.Kayleigh, 1st to lamb this year. The first out wasn't a straightforward birth & needed assistance, & both were yellow, indicating the birth was stressful, and it was long.
Fortunately, both lambs seem to be doing fine
Lambing season has finally started!
S.Kayleigh, 1st to lamb this year. The first out wasn't a straightforward birth & needed assistance, & both were yellow, indicating the birth was stressful, and it was long.
Fortunately, both lambs seem to be doing fine
Tiny Neptune is now 3 days old. She's doing really well & Lisa is attentive & patient. They've now moved from a small area with shelter & lush grazing to the lambing fields
Showing her size, Lisa & Neptune with Louise & Noah, 6 days older than Neptune. Both have father S.Atlas
Showing her size, Lisa & Neptune with Louise & Noah, 6 days older than Neptune. Both have father S.Atlas
April 30, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Tiny Neptune is now 3 days old. She's doing really well & Lisa is attentive & patient. They've now moved from a small area with shelter & lush grazing to the lambing fields
Showing her size, Lisa & Neptune with Louise & Noah, 6 days older than Neptune. Both have father S.Atlas
Showing her size, Lisa & Neptune with Louise & Noah, 6 days older than Neptune. Both have father S.Atlas
Just like that, lambing is over at Burnside. Lucy had her first lamb about 7.30 this evening, hiding behind the old hen house windbreak. All seems well.
I'm behind on posting photos.....which I will catch up on..... but all fine and tiny little Neptune is doing really well
I'm behind on posting photos.....which I will catch up on..... but all fine and tiny little Neptune is doing really well
April 29, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Just like that, lambing is over at Burnside. Lucy had her first lamb about 7.30 this evening, hiding behind the old hen house windbreak. All seems well.
I'm behind on posting photos.....which I will catch up on..... but all fine and tiny little Neptune is doing really well
I'm behind on posting photos.....which I will catch up on..... but all fine and tiny little Neptune is doing really well
Also seen at the 5am check this morning was Hannah with 1 of her twins. The 2nd followed very quickly - too quick to video! Here they both are a few minutes after that. Father of this pair is Atlas
April 24, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Also seen at the 5am check this morning was Hannah with 1 of her twins. The 2nd followed very quickly - too quick to video! Here they both are a few minutes after that. Father of this pair is Atlas
Experienced ewe Friddy, age 8, had her twins not long before my 5am check this morning. All looking good. She's passed her placenta and eaten it. The darker lamb is interesting since Friddy's fleece is such a light colour and has not darkened with age. The father is George who is a darker ram.
April 24, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Experienced ewe Friddy, age 8, had her twins not long before my 5am check this morning. All looking good. She's passed her placenta and eaten it. The darker lamb is interesting since Friddy's fleece is such a light colour and has not darkened with age. The father is George who is a darker ram.
Calling Curlews at sunrise in Orkney
April 24, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Calling Curlews at sunrise in Orkney
Good to see recognition in The Guardian that the right density of sheep in the right places & managed in the right way is a key factor in increasing biodiversity
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘We don’t call them woolly maggots’: how wildlife campaigners put sheep at heart of rewilding plans
The Wildlife Trusts are in shock after acquiring 4,000 sheep in Rothbury estate deal as part of land restoration project
www.theguardian.com
April 23, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Good to see recognition in The Guardian that the right density of sheep in the right places & managed in the right way is a key factor in increasing biodiversity
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Marianna's little flock lives as part of the Burnside flock. Her ewe Kornelie had a lovely healthy lamb about an hour ago. Here the lamb, possibly a female from what I can see, is mastering the art of feeding
April 23, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Marianna's little flock lives as part of the Burnside flock. Her ewe Kornelie had a lovely healthy lamb about an hour ago. Here the lamb, possibly a female from what I can see, is mastering the art of feeding