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
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
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
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
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
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
Photos of Leah and her lamb
She moved protectively towards the lamb when I got close enough to remove the uneaten parts of the placenta
She moved protectively towards the lamb when I got close enough to remove the uneaten parts of the placenta
April 23, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Photos of Leah and her lamb
She moved protectively towards the lamb when I got close enough to remove the uneaten parts of the placenta
She moved protectively towards the lamb when I got close enough to remove the uneaten parts of the placenta
In the soft, misty, pre-sunrise light a young ewe found snuggled in the rushes with her first lamb.
This is Leah, one of Cara's line. George is the lambs father.
This is Leah, one of Cara's line. George is the lambs father.
April 23, 2025 at 4:37 AM
In the soft, misty, pre-sunrise light a young ewe found snuggled in the rushes with her first lamb.
This is Leah, one of Cara's line. George is the lambs father.
This is Leah, one of Cara's line. George is the lambs father.
Louise has recovered really well from lambing the 'chunk', and he's already at the bouncing stage. Both are now in the ewe & lamb field. Lamb (he'll be named when daughter comes up to help with lambing in a few days) is feeding well and his poo is already showing colostrum yellow.
April 21, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Louise has recovered really well from lambing the 'chunk', and he's already at the bouncing stage. Both are now in the ewe & lamb field. Lamb (he'll be named when daughter comes up to help with lambing in a few days) is feeding well and his poo is already showing colostrum yellow.
Update from Lochend in Shapinsay
"Well Lochend Fiona would like to introduce you to her beautiful boy girl twins, she was scanned as a single!! and despite being a first timer she seems to be on the ball and doing just fine... so just like that lambing 2025 is all wrapped up."
"Well Lochend Fiona would like to introduce you to her beautiful boy girl twins, she was scanned as a single!! and despite being a first timer she seems to be on the ball and doing just fine... so just like that lambing 2025 is all wrapped up."
April 21, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Update from Lochend in Shapinsay
"Well Lochend Fiona would like to introduce you to her beautiful boy girl twins, she was scanned as a single!! and despite being a first timer she seems to be on the ball and doing just fine... so just like that lambing 2025 is all wrapped up."
"Well Lochend Fiona would like to introduce you to her beautiful boy girl twins, she was scanned as a single!! and despite being a first timer she seems to be on the ball and doing just fine... so just like that lambing 2025 is all wrapped up."
One of each twins for 8 year old Frisky in Westray
April 21, 2025 at 3:37 PM
One of each twins for 8 year old Frisky in Westray
At Burnside
Young S.Louise gave birth to a big chunky ram lamb before dawn this morning. Sexing was easy without picking up the lamb - you can see him peeing towards the end of the video!
Young S.Louise gave birth to a big chunky ram lamb before dawn this morning. Sexing was easy without picking up the lamb - you can see him peeing towards the end of the video!
April 21, 2025 at 6:29 AM
At Burnside
Young S.Louise gave birth to a big chunky ram lamb before dawn this morning. Sexing was easy without picking up the lamb - you can see him peeing towards the end of the video!
Young S.Louise gave birth to a big chunky ram lamb before dawn this morning. Sexing was easy without picking up the lamb - you can see him peeing towards the end of the video!