Scottish Blackface
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Scottish Blackface Sheep
Also Known By: Blackface,
Blackfaced Highland, Kerry
Linton, Scottish Mountain, Scottish
Highland, Scotch Blackface, Scotch Horn
Nickname in UK -Blackie
Nickname in USA and Canada, Scotties
Monestery records show that monks in the Twelfth Centruy raised sheep that are the progenitors of the modern Scottish Blackface breed. The monks used the wool of the dun-faced sheep, as they were often called, for their own clothing and exported large amounts to Europe. Latter records show that in 1503 James the IV of Scotland established a flock of 5,000 Scottish Blackface Sheep in Ettrick Forest. Today the Blackface is the most important breed in the British Isles.Thirty percent of all sheep in the UK are Scottish Blackface! The Blackface epitomizes the mountain sheep. They have long coarse wool that shields them from moisture and biting winds. They are able to survive the harshest winters in the most extreme parts of Great Britain
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Shearing and hoof trimming at Auchallater Farm, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Blackface ewes are excellent mothers and will often attempt to defend their lambs against predators. They are good milkers and are able to yield a lamb crop and a wool clip even when on marginal pastures. The breed spread from the border areas during the Ninetieth Century to the highlands and the islands and also to Northern Ireland and the US. There are small flocks scattered across the USA but this robust little breed has remained a minor breed. Its potential has never been realized in the "States" where it's stamina and tolerance of cold would be most valuable.
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Special thanks to Auchallater Farm in Scotland for allowing us to photograph Shearing in 2005.
(The name Auchallater comes from the Gaelic “Auch-choille-dur,” and means field of the wooded stream)
copyright 2002 , Jim & Beth Boyle, All Rights Reserved
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without written consent from The Rams Horn
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