North Ronaldsay

North Ronaldsay sheep are a small primitive breed from North Ronaldsay in Orkney, off northern Scotland. They belong to the Northern European short-tailed sheep group and are famous for living much of the year outside the island's stone sheep dyke, grazing seaweed along the shore. The breed is variable in color, including white, grey, black, moorit, and patterned animals, and rams commonly carry horns. Centuries of isolation and coastal feeding have made them distinct from larger modern meat breeds.

Away from the island, North Ronaldsays are kept for conservation, specialist wool, small-scale meat, and interest in rare genetics. They are agile, thrifty sheep, but they still need secure fencing, shelter, and careful parasite management on inland pasture. Their mineral management deserves attention: keepers generally avoid feeds or supplements high in copper and introduce diet changes gradually. Conservation work involves both flock breeding and maintenance of the sea dyke on North Ronaldsay, because the traditional shoreline system is part of the breed's identity.

Colors: Badgerface, Black, Blackbelly, Brown, Gray, Gulmoget, Katmoget, Moorit, Piebald, Red, Silver, Spotted, Tan, White, White with Black Points, White with Brown Points