Boreray Blackface

Lore & Background

Until the late eighteenth century, domesticated sheep throughout the Scottish Highlands and Islands belonged to a type called the Scottish Dunface. A local variety of this Dunface was kept on the two main St Kilda islands of Boreray and Hirta by the crofters who lived on Hirta. In the mid-eighteenth century, these sheep were described as 'of the smallest kind', with short, coarse wool, and all having horns—usually one pair, but often two pairs. At that time, there were about a thousand sheep on Hirta and about four hundred on Boreray.

In the late nineteenth century, the crofters' sheep were cross-bred with Scottish Blackface sheep. When the human inhabitants of St Kilda were evacuated in 1930, the sheep of Hirta were removed and replaced by Soay sheep in 1932. The sheep remaining on Boreray were left to become feral, becoming the only survivors of the crofters' sheep and one of the few surviving descendants of the Dunface. Six of these sheep were taken in the 1970s to mainland Scotland to form a second breeding population.

Borerays are among the smallest sheep, with naturally short tails and fleeces that moult naturally. Their wool is grey or creamy white, though darker individuals occur, and is used for tweeds or carpet yarns. Both sexes have horns; rams can grow large spiral horns used for crafts such as shepherd's crooks.

Reader's Guide

The Boreray Blackface holds significance as a living link to the ancient Scottish Dunface sheep, a type that once dominated the Highlands and Islands but was largely replaced by the Scottish Blackface. Its survival as a feral population on Boreray after the 1930 evacuation of St Kilda makes it a unique genetic reservoir. The breed is one of eight rare British breeds registered in the Combined Flock Book, established in 1974, and is classified as 'priority' by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

Its legacy is tied to conservation grazing, where its hardiness and adaptation to harsh island conditions make it valuable for managing vegetation and improving biodiversity. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust believes this potential could be further developed. Population numbers have fluctuated: in 1999 fewer than 84 animals were estimated; by 2012, 204 ewes were registered; and in 2017 the RBST moved the breed from 'Critical' to 'Vulnerable' as breeding ewes exceeded 500. However, the Food and Agriculture Organization estimated only 426 breeding ewes in 2017, highlighting ongoing rarity.

The breed's characteristics—small size, short tail, natural moult, and dual-purpose history for meat and wool—underscore its role as a heritage breed. Its continued existence depends on conservation efforts and the maintenance of both feral and captive populations.

Did You Know?

• The Boreray Blackface is one of eight rare British breeds registered in the Combined Flock Book, established in 1974.
• In the mid-eighteenth century, the crofters' sheep on St Kilda were described as 'of the smallest kind' and often had two pairs of horns.
• After the 1930 evacuation of St Kilda, the sheep on Boreray were left to become feral and are the only survivors of the original crofters' sheep.
• The breed's wool is rough and mostly used for tweeds or carpet yarns.