breed specificity

Scotch mule

This breed’s fleece provides the backbone of our yarn, silky and long stapled with a durable character and a gorgeous springy crimp. Becoming recognised in 1986 as a breed in its own right, it is a cross between Bluefaced Leicester and a hill sheep (often Blackface). It’s a popular breed as it is versatile and low-maintenece, combining the hardiness of a hill sheep with the commercial properties of a low land sheep. The fleece retains the properties of Bluefaced Leicester, which is renowned as the softest fleece in Britain, and we carefully select the best parts during sorting to give our yarn its unique silky feel. 

hebridean

Hebrideans are our native sheep, small and with a dark brown fleece that lightens in the sun and greys as they age, they are thought to have been brought to Scotland from Scandinavia by the Vikings. A hardy breed, wild and independent, able to survive on less nutrient dense forage such as heather. As they selectively graze the hills and moors, they are great animals for conservation grazing. They are a less commercial sheep to raise for meat as they are small and slow growing, but their pure grass and herb diet means that their meat is lean and full of Omega 3, a bit like game, so is a healthy protein with a very low environmental footprint. Their fleece is grown in a double layer, a short insulating one that is lanolin rich, and a longer, silky and waterproof outer layer - a bit like wearing a fleece with a waterproof jacket that keeps them so warm that, when sheared in summer, they literally leap with joy when it comes off!

It is the Hebridean fleece that, when mixed with the other breeds, gives our yarn its signature grey tone.

texel

Another interloper from the Netherlands, this breed originated on the Dutch isle of Texel and is a happy import into the British sheep world. A medium sized sheep with a distinctive long, rectangular body, The fleece has a high loft with a staple of medium length and is highly crinkled. Fibres are classed as medium at 34 microns and less.

Popular due to its adaptability and its hardy but docile nature, its fleece is a natural compliment to the mule and a welcome addition to the yarn

Charollais

Originating in France and introduced to Britain in 1977, there are a few of these distinctive looking sheep on Iona, mostly rams for breeding, they are a formidable looking, sturdy breed with a recognisable pink face. Their fleece has a medium staple length.

ZwarTbles

This magnificent breed comes from the Netherlands and and has a dark fleece like Hebridean, only crimpier and softer. There are a few Zwartbles on Iona and their fleece compliments the Hebridean and adds a warmth to our grey tones.