Every sheepskin that comes through our tannery has its own tale, and one breed that recently popped up in a tannery conversation is the Hebridean. The rugged beauty of their fleece conjures images of remote Scottish crofts, tough climates, and wild landscapes and is a living reminder of the importance of valuing tradition and resilience.
By 1973, only about 300 animals were left scattered across 40 parklands, and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) recognised them as endangered. Their low-maintenance nature had left them largely untouched by modern farming, preserving their original traits, so they were able to be reintroduced to the landscapes that shaped them, along the rugged west coast and islands of Scotland. The Hebridean breed was then officially recognized, and in 1994, the Hebridean Sheep Society was formed to protect their future.
For the last 15 years, our own family croft has been mostly made up of Hebridean ewes. With their tough nature and self-sufficiency, they're perfect for roaming the hills of Waternish. We even have our own local legend, 'Four Horns' (admittedly now down to three!), who still rules the flock at the ripe old age of 14 and is living proof that Hebrideans age with flair, even if they do sometimes misplace a horn along the way!
