The Market Road: Hooves, Hope, and Farewells
🐑 Off To Market
Rounding Up The Sheep For Market and Loading Them on The Good Shepherd
🌾 The Great Roundup
Early morning mist clings to the island as shepherds and their faithful dogs begin the ancient ritual of gathering the flock. Each sheep has spent months grazing freely on Fair Isle's pristine grasslands, developing that distinctive flavor that makes them so sought after.
🐑 Morning Gathering
The flock assembles as dawn breaks over Fair Isle's rugged landscape
🐕 Faithful Companions
Border collies demonstrate their ancient partnership with shepherds
🚢 Aboard The Good Shepherd
The Good Shepherd - Fair Isle's lifeline to the mainland - transforms into a floating livestock carrier for this special journey. Watch as generations of island tradition come together in this remarkable loading process.
🏪 A Specialty Beyond Compare
We are talking about a relatively small number of lambs – under 1000 – so it's all about finding a niche market and selling the lamb. It is an amazing product to eat and because it is so scarce and produced in such an environmental way, it is a specialty product.
👋 Bye Bye Black Sheep
You have had a great life on Fair Isle. From the moment you first wobbled on unsteady legs in spring pastures to your final grazing sessions overlooking the North Sea, you've lived the dream of true free-range life.
