The wild Soay sheep on Hirta in the Outer Hebrides have been shrinking
Bryn Fraser
by 81g per year over the past 25 years
Hannah Devlin
Times online
The scientists returned to the remote Scottish island again and again
and counted enough sheep to send even the most dedicated researchers
into a sound slumber.
Yet by the end of the exercise, they had confirmed a remarkable
phenomenon. The sheep were shrinking. Quite rapidly.
Over the 25-year period of their study the Soay sheep on the island of
Hirta in the Outer Hebrides had shrunk by about 2cm (0.8in) or 81g
(2.9oz) per year, amounting to about 5 per cent of their body mass.
The scientists attributed the change to short-term changes in climate
rather than to the long-term pressures of natural selection, which
would favour a larger — not a smaller — body size.
Previously the smallest lambs would have perished in the cold
conditions of early spring. But shorter, milder winters and warmer
springtimes mean that more small lambs survive and pass their “small”
genes on to their offspring, according to the study, which is
published today in the journal Science.
The sheep studied were completely untended and the authors say that
the effect is unlikely to be seen in farmed populations. Farmers tend
to select strongly for larger sheep, to maximise profits. This would
mask any trends caused by environmental change.
“We’re certainly not predicting that we’ll be seeing pygmy sheep being
herded by chihuahuas,” said Tim Coulson, a specialist in population
biology at Imperial College London and a co-author of the paper.
Likewise, in the human population factors other than climate are
playing a bigger role in changing our size, shape and behaviour.
The average human height in Britain has increased by more than 5cm in
the past century, mainly because of changes in nutrition, for
instance. And progress in medicine means that the Briton’s average
lifespan is increasing by about five hours every day.
However, isolated human populations that depend strongly on their
natural environment and are relatively immune to cultural and
technological changes could conceivably undergo physical changes
because of climate change, according to Professor Coulson.
Similar effects have been observed in fish, including cod, salmon and
sticklebacks, marine iguanas, large-horned Canadian sheep, North
American squirrels and blue tits. “A growing number of cases like this
are being reported,” said Professor Coulson.
Ecologists have also reported changes in behaviour. The migratory
patterns and breeding times of some bird species have altered. And
flowers such as daffodils are blooming earlier.
In the Hirta study about 30 surveys of the sheep were carried out each
year from 1986.
Ewes and their female offspring in the flock were weighed and measured
as lambs, yearlings and at various ages as adults. Only ewes were
included because it was difficult to determine fatherhood at the start
of the study, before genetic testing was readily available.
During the course of the study, measurements of the lambs’ legs showed
that they were getting smaller, not just skinnier, as the sheep’s
average weight fell.
Because the researchers had accumulated data on both the climate, and
the parenthood of sheep, they were able to work out the extent to
which size was being driven by evolutionary factors and how much it
was driven by environmental factors.
“The Soay sheep provides another example of how far-reaching and
unpredictable the effects of climate change can be,” said Professor
Coulson.
Peter Morris, head of the National Sheep Association, agreed, despite
admitting that it was counter-intuitive to believe that shorter
winters would cause sheep to shrink.
“The smaller lambs surviving makes sense, but you’d expect that to be
counter-balanced by the longer summers when more food would be
available,” he said.
In reality, because more animals are surviving there is more
competition for food, the study showed.
So while the size of the flock grew significantly, the size of
individual animals did not.
“More food doesn’t necessarily equate to bigger animals; it often
means more animals,” Professor Coulson said.
Cory Bhreckan
> The wild Soay sheep on Hirta in the Outer Hebrides have been shrinking
> by 81g per year over the past 25 years
I thought Soay and Hirta were part of St. Kilda. Is St. Kilda considered
part of the Hebrides?
>
> Hannah Devlin
>
> Times online
>
> The scientists returned to the remote Scottish island again and again
> and counted enough sheep to send even the most dedicated researchers
> into a sound slumber.
>
> Yet by the end of the exercise, they had confirmed a remarkable
> phenomenon. The sheep were shrinking. Quite rapidly.
>
> Over the 25-year period of their study the Soay sheep on the island of
> Hirta in the Outer Hebrides had shrunk by about 2cm (0.8in) or 81g
> (2.9oz) per year, amounting to about 5 per cent of their body mass.
>
> The scientists attributed the change to short-term changes in climate
> rather than to the long-term pressures of natural selection, which
> would favour a larger � not a smaller � body size.
>
> Previously the smallest lambs would have perished in the cold
> conditions of early spring. But shorter, milder winters and warmer
> springtimes mean that more small lambs survive and pass their �small�
> genes on to their offspring, according to the study, which is
> published today in the journal Science.
>
> The sheep studied were completely untended and the authors say that
> the effect is unlikely to be seen in farmed populations. Farmers tend
> to select strongly for larger sheep, to maximise profits. This would
> mask any trends caused by environmental change.
>
> �We�re certainly not predicting that we�ll be seeing pygmy sheep being
> herded by chihuahuas,� said Tim Coulson, a specialist in population
> biology at Imperial College London and a co-author of the paper.
>
> Likewise, in the human population factors other than climate are
> playing a bigger role in changing our size, shape and behaviour.
>
> The average human height in Britain has increased by more than 5cm in
> the past century, mainly because of changes in nutrition, for
> instance. And progress in medicine means that the Briton�s average
> lifespan is increasing by about five hours every day.
>
> However, isolated human populations that depend strongly on their
> natural environment and are relatively immune to cultural and
> technological changes could conceivably undergo physical changes
> because of climate change, according to Professor Coulson.
>
> Similar effects have been observed in fish, including cod, salmon and
> sticklebacks, marine iguanas, large-horned Canadian sheep, North
> American squirrels and blue tits. �A growing number of cases like this
> are being reported,� said Professor Coulson.
>
> Ecologists have also reported changes in behaviour. The migratory
> patterns and breeding times of some bird species have altered. And
> flowers such as daffodils are blooming earlier.
>
> In the Hirta study about 30 surveys of the sheep were carried out each
> year from 1986.
>
> Ewes and their female offspring in the flock were weighed and measured
> as lambs, yearlings and at various ages as adults. Only ewes were
> included because it was difficult to determine fatherhood at the start
> of the study, before genetic testing was readily available.
>
> During the course of the study, measurements of the lambs� legs showed
> that they were getting smaller, not just skinnier, as the sheep�s
> average weight fell.
>
> Because the researchers had accumulated data on both the climate, and
> the parenthood of sheep, they were able to work out the extent to
> which size was being driven by evolutionary factors and how much it
> was driven by environmental factors.
>
> �The Soay sheep provides another example of how far-reaching and
> unpredictable the effects of climate change can be,� said Professor
> Coulson.
>
> Peter Morris, head of the National Sheep Association, agreed, despite
> admitting that it was counter-intuitive to believe that shorter
> winters would cause sheep to shrink.
>
> �The smaller lambs surviving makes sense, but you�d expect that to be
> counter-balanced by the longer summers when more food would be
> available,� he said.
>
> In reality, because more animals are surviving there is more
> competition for food, the study showed.
>
> So while the size of the flock grew significantly, the size of
> individual animals did not.
>
> �More food doesn�t necessarily equate to bigger animals; it often
> means more animals,� Professor Coulson said.
>
>
>
--
"For the stronger we our houses do build,
The less chance we have of being killed." - William Topaz McGonagall
The Phantom Piper
>
> The wild Soay sheep on Hirta in the Outer Hebrides have
> been shrinking by 81g per year over the past 25 years
> Over the 25-year period of their study the Soay sheep on the island of
> Hirta in the Outer Hebrides had shrunk by about 2cm (0.8in) or 81g
> (2.9oz) per year, amounting to about 5 per cent of their body mass.
Extrapolating, we have about 375 years to go before
the advent of the Pocket Sheep - and then only about
50-75 years within which to enjoy their company.
Do Amoebae Dream Of Microscopic Sheep?,
The Phantom Piper
Charles Ellson
<corybhreckan@nospam_verizon.net> wrote:
>Bryn Fraser wrote:
>> The wild Soay sheep on Hirta in the Outer Hebrides have been shrinking
>> by 81g per year over the past 25 years
>
>I thought Soay and Hirta were part of St. Kilda. Is St. Kilda considered
>part of the Hebrides?
>
A lot of people (official or otherwise) seem to class it so. It's not
mainland (or Mainland) and it is within Guga hunting range.
>>
>> Hannah Devlin
>>
>> Times online
>>
>> The scientists returned to the remote Scottish island again and again
>> and counted enough sheep to send even the most dedicated researchers
>> into a sound slumber.
>>
>> Yet by the end of the exercise, they had confirmed a remarkable
>> phenomenon. The sheep were shrinking. Quite rapidly.
>>
>> Over the 25-year period of their study the Soay sheep on the island of
>> Hirta in the Outer Hebrides had shrunk by about 2cm (0.8in) or 81g
>> (2.9oz) per year, amounting to about 5 per cent of their body mass.
>>
>> The scientists attributed the change to short-term changes in climate
>> rather than to the long-term pressures of natural selection, which
>> would favour a larger — not a smaller — body size.
>>
>> Previously the smallest lambs would have perished in the cold
>> conditions of early spring. But shorter, milder winters and warmer
>> springtimes mean that more small lambs survive and pass their “small”
>> genes on to their offspring, according to the study, which is
>> published today in the journal Science.
>>
>> The sheep studied were completely untended and the authors say that
>> the effect is unlikely to be seen in farmed populations. Farmers tend
>> to select strongly for larger sheep, to maximise profits. This would
>> mask any trends caused by environmental change.
>>
>> “We’re certainly not predicting that we’ll be seeing pygmy sheep being
>> herded by chihuahuas,” said Tim Coulson, a specialist in population
>> biology at Imperial College London and a co-author of the paper.
>>
>> Likewise, in the human population factors other than climate are
>> playing a bigger role in changing our size, shape and behaviour.
>>
>> The average human height in Britain has increased by more than 5cm in
>> the past century, mainly because of changes in nutrition, for
>> instance. And progress in medicine means that the Briton’s average
>> lifespan is increasing by about five hours every day.
>>
>> However, isolated human populations that depend strongly on their
>> natural environment and are relatively immune to cultural and
>> technological changes could conceivably undergo physical changes
>> because of climate change, according to Professor Coulson.
>>
>> Similar effects have been observed in fish, including cod, salmon and
>> sticklebacks, marine iguanas, large-horned Canadian sheep, North
>> American squirrels and blue tits. “A growing number of cases like this
>> are being reported,” said Professor Coulson.
>>
>> Ecologists have also reported changes in behaviour. The migratory
>> patterns and breeding times of some bird species have altered. And
>> flowers such as daffodils are blooming earlier.
>>
>> In the Hirta study about 30 surveys of the sheep were carried out each
>> year from 1986.
>>
>> Ewes and their female offspring in the flock were weighed and measured
>> as lambs, yearlings and at various ages as adults. Only ewes were
>> included because it was difficult to determine fatherhood at the start
>> of the study, before genetic testing was readily available.
>>
>> During the course of the study, measurements of the lambs’ legs showed
>> that they were getting smaller, not just skinnier, as the sheep’s
>> average weight fell.
>>
>> Because the researchers had accumulated data on both the climate, and
>> the parenthood of sheep, they were able to work out the extent to
>> which size was being driven by evolutionary factors and how much it
>> was driven by environmental factors.
>>
>> “The Soay sheep provides another example of how far-reaching and
>> unpredictable the effects of climate change can be,” said Professor
>> Coulson.
>>
>> Peter Morris, head of the National Sheep Association, agreed, despite
>> admitting that it was counter-intuitive to believe that shorter
>> winters would cause sheep to shrink.
>>
>> “The smaller lambs surviving makes sense, but you’d expect that to be
>> counter-balanced by the longer summers when more food would be
>> available,” he said.
>>
>> In reality, because more animals are surviving there is more
>> competition for food, the study showed.
>>
>> So while the size of the flock grew significantly, the size of
>> individual animals did not.
>>
>> “More food doesn’t necessarily equate to bigger animals; it often
>> means more animals,” Professor Coulson said.
>>
>>
>>
Fifeshire Floozie
>The wild Soay sheep on Hirta in the Outer Hebrides have been
>shrinking
>by 81g per year over the past 25 years
>Hannah Devlin
Sheila! Have you ever used this wool when knitting?
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/soay/
The Soay have been called the only living example of the small,
primitive sheep which inhabited the British Isles before the coming of
the Norsemen and the Romans. These sheep were numerous before the time
of the Roman occupation. Their name is derived from the island of Soay
off the coast of Scotland.
The largest number of this breed are now found on Hirta which is one
of the island of the St. Kilda group. In 1932 this island was
evacuated and, in 1932, 107 Soay sheep (20 rams, 44 ewes, 22 ram lambs
and 21 ewe lambs) were brought from the island of Soay and released.
The Soay are small framed, good legs and a fleece varying from light
to dark brown and sheds naturally in the summer. The males of this
breed are horned and the females may be either polled or horned. The
fleece is remarkable fine and, in contrast to mouflon, the inner
fleece is highly developed and it is difficult to distinguish a outer
coat. This is a clear indication that the Soay are indeed the product
of a breed domesticated in prehistoric times. It is in many ways
remarkable to note the extent to which the outer coat has been
removed, especially considering their years of feral existence. The
breed also lacks the flocking instinct of many breeds. Attempts to
work them using sheep dogs result in a scattering of the group.
The fleece is shed each spring and is used for hand knitting yarns.
The wool quality is 44's to 50's, fleece weight is 3 to 5 pounds
(1.5-2.25 kg) and staple length is 5 to 15 cm.
http://www.ramshornstudio.com/soay.htm This is quite an good web page
with lots of interesting photos and links.
"The name of the island, 'Soay', is a corruption of Old Norse,
meaning 'Island of Sheep'. This suggests they may have been introduced
before the 10th Century.'
"Soay sheep are a window into the past and give us a road map to the
Neolithic origins of domesticated sheep. It is believed by most
researchers these sheep were established on Soay as a food source by
Norse sailors many centuries ago."
This is quite an interesting photo with the caption ... " The ewes
when they molt look rather like tiny Musk oxen . They often have
large chunks of wool clinging to them in spring and summer"
S Viemeister
>
> Sheila! Have you ever used this wool when knitting?
>
> http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/soay/
>
No, I haven't - if I knew where to find it, though, I'd like to try.
Perhaps I skimmed too quickly, but I couldn't see a reference to a source.
Fifeshire Floozie
It was referenced on the first url Sheila. There was mention of the
British Wool Marketing Board on that page so I've sent off an email to
them to see if they can tell us where it's possible to buy the wool.
S Viemeister
Perhaps the Knitters (formerly Quilters) of scs can do a project
including various Scottish wools and knitting techniques?
Nebulous
"S Viemeister" <firs...@lastname.oc.ku> wrote in message
news:7bd2okF...@mid.individual.net...
Off- topic a bit, but have you come across this?
http://www.morayfirth-partnership.org/work-2-ganseyhome.html
There was a representative at the Portsoy Boat Festival on Saturday, with
some samples they have collected from around the coast.
Ganseys had a huge amount of investment in them. Hand knitted in the round
with 4 stainless steel needles and a sheath they were a very real and very
public exhibition of skill and craftsmanship. There's nothing like seeing a
group of women poring over somebody else's gansey and examining the
sewing-up with a critical eye. My granny was reckoned to be pretty quick,
but it generally took her 6 weeks to complete one. My Great-Aunt used to go
for a walk to the next village along on a fine summer's evening with her
sheath on and knit all the way.
Seeing that project was a real wake-up call to me about how rapidly things
are changing. I'm still a bit shy of 50, yet much of what was taken as a
given in my childhood/ adolescence has been swept away. I never though I'd
see the day when my ganseys became museum pieces!
Neb
S Viemeister
>
> Off- topic a bit, but have you come across this?
>
> http://www.morayfirth-partnership.org/work-2-ganseyhome.html
>
patterns, complete with photos and stories about those who knitted them.
I did a fairly complicated original design for my husband before we were
married - he still wears it (it's been mended many times).
Fifeshire Floozie
"Nebulous" <jw...@pigtail.com> wrote in message
news:h2s4n2$15d5$1...@energise.enta.net...
> Off- topic a bit, but have you come across this?
It's not off-topic at all Neb ;-)
> http://www.morayfirth-partnership.org/work-2-ganseyhome.html
>
> There was a representative at the Portsoy Boat Festival on Saturday,
> with some samples they have collected from around the coast.
>
> Ganseys had a huge amount of investment in them. Hand knitted in the
> round with 4 stainless steel needles and a sheath they were a very
> real and very public exhibition of skill and craftsmanship. There's
> nothing like seeing a group of women poring over somebody else's
> gansey and examining the sewing-up with a critical eye. My granny
> was reckoned to be pretty quick, but it generally took her 6 weeks
> to complete one. My Great-Aunt used to go for a walk to the next
> village along on a fine summer's evening with her sheath on and knit
> all the way.
>
> Seeing that project was a real wake-up call to me about how rapidly
> things are changing. I'm still a bit shy of 50, yet much of what was
> taken as a given in my childhood/ adolescence has been swept away. I
> never though I'd see the day when my ganseys became museum pieces!
>
It really is sad and scary too. I thought this was interesting ...
"Each gansey has a unique pattern which varied from village to village
and from family to family. If there was a shipwreck or accident the
bodies washed up on the shore could be identified by their gansey as
being from a particular village and family. In this way the fisherman
could be returned to their family for burial."
I have a good friend here who belongs Findochty.
Cory Bhreckan
They have Soay sheep here
http://www.obanargyll.com/oban-rare-breeds.html. They're pretty skittish
and hard to catch though.
S Viemeister
> S Viemeister wrote:
>> Fifeshire Floozie wrote:
>>>
>>> Sheila! Have you ever used this wool when knitting?
>>>
>>> http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/soay/
>>>
>>> http://www.ramshornstudio.com/soay.htm
>>
>> No, I haven't - if I knew where to find it, though, I'd like to try.
>> Perhaps I skimmed too quickly, but I couldn't see a reference to a
>> source.
>>
>
> They have Soay sheep here
> http://www.obanargyll.com/oban-rare-breeds.html. They're pretty skittish
> and hard to catch though.
>
I'm a bit out of practice on spinning - my wheels have been in the attic
for years. I was hoping for a source of ready-made yarn.
Cory Bhreckan
> Cory Bhreckan wrote:
>> S Viemeister wrote:
>>> Fifeshire Floozie wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Sheila! Have you ever used this wool when knitting?
>>>>
>>>> http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/soay/
>>>>
>>>> http://www.ramshornstudio.com/soay.htm
>>>
>>> No, I haven't - if I knew where to find it, though, I'd like to try.
>>> Perhaps I skimmed too quickly, but I couldn't see a reference to a
>>> source.
>>>
>>
>> They have Soay sheep here
>> http://www.obanargyll.com/oban-rare-breeds.html. They're pretty
>> skittish and hard to catch though.
>>
> I don't think the Soays are still there.
They were there when I was there, why would they get rid of them? They
also have Castlemilk Moorit sheep, they have quality wool.
> I'm a bit out of practice on spinning - my wheels have been in the attic
> for years. I was hoping for a source of ready-made yarn.
La N
> S Viemeister wrote:
>> Cory Bhreckan wrote:
>>> S Viemeister wrote:
>>>> Fifeshire Floozie wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Sheila! Have you ever used this wool when knitting?
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/soay/
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.ramshornstudio.com/soay.htm
>>>>
>>>> No, I haven't - if I knew where to find it, though, I'd like to
>>>> try. Perhaps I skimmed too quickly, but I couldn't see a reference
>>>> to a source.
>>>>
>>>
>>> They have Soay sheep here
>>> http://www.obanargyll.com/oban-rare-breeds.html. They're pretty
>>> skittish and hard to catch though.
>>>
>> I don't think the Soays are still there.
>
> They were there when I was there, why would they get rid of them? They
> also have Castlemilk Moorit sheep, they have quality wool.
>
>> I'm a bit out of practice on spinning - my wheels have been in the
>> attic for years. I was hoping for a source of ready-made yarn.
Too bad one couldn't shear deer and make fine mitts and toques and such.
- nilita
The Phantom Piper
wrote:
>
> They're pretty skittish and hard to catch though.
You think that's bad? Just wait until they're 5" long!
Anticipating The Pocket-Sheep,
The Phantom Piper
S Viemeister
> S Viemeister wrote:
>>> They have Soay sheep here
>>> http://www.obanargyll.com/oban-rare-breeds.html. They're pretty
>>> skittish and hard to catch though.
>>>
>> I don't think the Soays are still there.
>
> They were there when I was there, why would they get rid of them? They
> also have Castlemilk Moorit sheep, they have quality wool.
>
S Viemeister
My Granpa made boots, shoes, purses and handbags from them, after Granny
served them (the deer) for dinner.
La N
Hmm ... spaghetti and Bambi balls ......
- nilita
S Viemeister
La N
I love a good ragu bolognese recipe.
- nilita, but really can't bring herself to eat Bambis ....
Cory Bhreckan
> Cory Bhreckan wrote:
>> S Viemeister wrote:
>>> Cory Bhreckan wrote:
>>>> They have Soay sheep here
>>>> http://www.obanargyll.com/oban-rare-breeds.html. They're pretty
>>>> skittish and hard to catch though.
>>>>
>>> I don't think the Soays are still there.
>>
>> They were there when I was there, why would they get rid of them? They
>> also have Castlemilk Moorit sheep, they have quality wool.
>>
> How recently were you there?
2005.
>
>>> I'm a bit out of practice on spinning - my wheels have been in the
>>> attic for years. I was hoping for a source of ready-made yarn.
>>
>>
S Viemeister
> S Viemeister wrote:
>> Cory Bhreckan wrote:
>>> S Viemeister wrote:
>>>> Cory Bhreckan wrote:
>>>>> They have Soay sheep here
>>>>> http://www.obanargyll.com/oban-rare-breeds.html. They're pretty
>>>>> skittish and hard to catch though.
>>>>>
>>>> I don't think the Soays are still there.
>>>
>>> They were there when I was there, why would they get rid of them?
>>> They also have Castlemilk Moorit sheep, they have quality wool.
>>>
>> How recently were you there?
>
> 2005.
>
I understand that the animals have been relocated, but I have no idea
where - or why.
Cory Bhreckan
> Cory Bhreckan wrote:
>> S Viemeister wrote:
>>> Cory Bhreckan wrote:
>>>> S Viemeister wrote:
>>>>> Cory Bhreckan wrote:
>>>>>> They have Soay sheep here
>>>>>> http://www.obanargyll.com/oban-rare-breeds.html. They're pretty
>>>>>> skittish and hard to catch though.
>>>>>>
>>>>> I don't think the Soays are still there.
>>>>
>>>> They were there when I was there, why would they get rid of them?
>>>> They also have Castlemilk Moorit sheep, they have quality wool.
>>>>
>>> How recently were you there?
>>
>> 2005.
>>
> As of 2007, they were no longer there.
Pity, as I recall they were running around loose on top of the hill near
the barns. I've got some pictures somewhere.
> I understand that the animals have been relocated, but I have no idea
> where - or why.
>
>>>
>>>>> I'm a bit out of practice on spinning - my wheels have been in the
>>>>> attic for years. I was hoping for a source of ready-made yarn.
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>
Fifeshire Bimbo
I had an email in response to my query to the Wool Marketing Board
this morning Sheila. I haven't checked out the link yet ...
Dear Helen,
Thank you for your e mail expressing an interest in British Wool and
in particular the Soay Sheep breed.
This breed produces a small, but quite fine light brown fleece similar
in colour to the Shetland Moorit / Castlemilk Moorit and Manx
Loaghtan. The breed is classified as rare and it is one of a handful
of breeds from which producers are not obliged to send their wool to
ourselves.
I have pasted a link to a web Page from The Rare Breed Survival trusts
site relating to Soay Sheep. There are several links on there from
which I am sure you will be able to obtain the information you
require.
Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to
contact me.
http://www.rbst.org.uk/search/node/soay+sheep
Kind Regards
Stephen Spencer
Wool Marketing Manager
Tel: 44 (0) 1274 688666
Fax: 44 (0) 1274 687328
S Viemeister
> I had an email in response to my query to the Wool Marketing Board
> this morning Sheila. I haven't checked out the link yet ...
>
(snip)
> http://www.rbst.org.uk/search/node/soay+sheep
>
At first skim-through, I don't see any links to yarn producers - there
are a number of rare-breed meat sources listed, though. I'll need to
carefully check all the links.
I may just have to drag out one of my wheels, and see if my fingers
still remember how to spin!
Sheila
Fifeshire Floozie
Sheila! Knowing you, you can do anything you set your mind too!
S Viemeister
It's getting the right setting that can be a problem...
I have a browny/black Cheviot fleece, and about half a white one,
stashed in the attic - I should probably practice on them before
investing in Soay fleeces.
Cory Bhreckan
It's interesting that the Castlemilk Moorit is listed as vulnerable, the
breed is less that 100 years old. The breed was created by Sir Jock
Buchanan-Jardine, I've met him, he was a friend of my granny.