“The Blackface is an iconic breed and I think lamb is sadly too often over looked in Scotland where beef consumption dominates. In fact, lamb consumption in Scotland is less than half that of the rest of the UK,” said Aileen, who lives in Perth.
“We always speak about Aberdeen Angus beef and Highland cattle, but lamb and sheep are the backbone of the whole economy in Scotland. Our hill sheep farmers contribute a huge amount to the rural economy and lamb is such a wonderful product. My job is to promote it as branded Blackface lamb, not just lamb or even generic Scotch or British Lamb.
Over 80% of Scotland’s agricultural area is covered by grass and rough grazing and much of this is unsuitable for arable crops, fruit and veg. It is, however, perfect for hill sheep and their grazing is essential to the overall maintenance of the land. A high percentage of Blackies are farmed in Scotland because they survive and thrive in these hills and that’s their main attribute - they can survive in places most other breeds can’t. Because the lambs are raised on the hills they are very slow maturing, so as a traditional breed, Blackface Lambs are born later in the season, usually in April and May, naturally mature during summer and autumn and, therefore, retain their flavour and succulence well into the New Year.
Rearing Blackface sheep is a very traditional way of farming and a lot of farms are family-run by up to three generations. Aileen explained: “I was brought up with Blackface sheep and my brother and my uncles still have them. My husband and I finish some Blackface lambs and we supply them to the local butchers.”
Aileen continued: “You have big flocks over a large area so it can take a week to gather them. Even though the farms are extensive and you have a few sheep over a lot of acres, it’s still a lot of work.
“They roam on massive amounts of acres and they survive on heather and hill grass - that’s one of their main attributes.”
She added: “It’s important within the hill farming industry that the tradition remains so these farms are managed to the best advantage.”
This year’s sale of Blackie rams has just finished. Aileen says buyers were looking for a sheep with a good square body, a tight skin and bright eyes and good black and white colours.
She said: “The passion and the enthusiasm for the Blackface breed was shown this year when one of the top pedigree ram lambs made £100,000 for further breeding – a breed record.” This however, was an exceptional price for an exceptionally fine example of the breed. A bit like buying a thoroughbred stallion – this ram will be used as a stud animal for around 6 years. His progeny, which will eventually run to hundreds, will ensure that his excellent conformation and blood lines will influence the breed for years to come.
The older ewes are sold off to low ground farms where they are crossed to produce a sheep called the Scotch Mule. That’s one thing Blackface sheep are famous for, being the mother of the Scotch Mule.
Aileen said: “Scotch Mules are also one of the main breeds of sheep in Scotland, they are crossed with a terminal sire to produce your most commercial, finished lamb.”
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