[Jenniejenjen]

Hi, it is me again from wet and wind swept Wester-Ross. Northwest Highlands. I was looking for some more advice. Would Black Nose valais be able to cope with wet, windy and mud? Kinda fall in love ❤️  but I know I shouldn't of. 

[Fleecewife]

Well, they're native to Switzerland, which can be cold but, being a continental climate, is dry compared to Wester Ross.  Their fleece doesn't look remotely weatherproof to me, but I have never kept them - too big for me.  They are very cute sheep, but in some climates cute isn't going to survive or prosper.
Someone who has actually kept them will hopefully come along to give you a more informed opinion  [size=78%] [/size]

[Bywaters]

Not from personal experience, however, there are some across the valley from me and the owner is very critical of their ability to cope here in West Yorkshire at only 800 ft

They, allegedly, suffer badly from  feet issues, very possibly, as said before, becasue they are built for dry mountains, not damp bogs !

I wouldn't, personally. My preference is for a breed that is actually suited to your climate and conditions

[Jenniejenjen]

Thank you. I was thinking the same thing. Dry and cold fine. Wet and wind not. Just wanted to see what everyone else thought. 

[Fleecewife]

You could go for something which doesn't have just a black nose, but is black all over and is eminently suited to the climate - Hebridean sheep, preferably multihorned just because I love them 

[Jenniejenjen]

Yes. I am wanting to get some Hebs.

[Fleecewife]

 
       

[Jenniejenjen]

    do you breed them?   

[SallyintNorth]

Yes. I am wanting to get some Hebs.

Another tip, then, is if you are planning to have multiple breeds. try to get breeds which have the same needs.  It's hard to meet the needs of a sheep which needs supplementary feed alongside a sheep which gets fat on fresh air, for instance. 

And if you'd be keeping multiple tups not all of the same breed, have all horned or all polled.  Horns kill polled when things get fiesty. 

[Fleecewife]

    do you breed them? 

We used to breed breeding stock, but now we are selling off any younger ewes as we are retired and so are they.

There are breeders in the isles and the Highlands, for example Eagle Brae, Strathglass, Beauly, [email protected] (they also have holiday lodges). I can give you other contacts if you need them. It's always best to buy local with Primitives so they are acclimatised and used to the local pests.

Our ancient, rather clonky website has some details of Multihorned Hebs:  www.scothebs.co.uk   Also have a look at the main Hebridean Sheep Society site:www.hebrideansheep.org.uk, although it's a bit oriented to the deep south.  Note, the HSS has a breed description, not a breed standard, which allows for the variations within a native breed.
Other Scottish Native Breeds are of course the Shetland, the Soay, the Boreray and the other one from St Kilda, whose name I have temporarily forgotten 

I understand what Sally is saying about sticking to one breed, but you don't have to make up your mind straight away.  Do some research, visit some local folk who keep each breed and try not to fall in love too soon.  All sheep are wonderful, so take your time and remember if you want to change your mind, all sheep also taste delicious 

[SallyintNorth]

Another aspect to think about...  Do you think you might want to use and/or sell the wool?  Spinning, knitting, weaving, felting (wet or needle), etc etc.  Different breeds' wool is more or less suited to different uses, so that could become a factor.

Scottish primitive breeds not so far mentioned include North Ronaldsay (in the highest priority category on the RBST watchlist this year, very pretty multicoloured sheep with amazing double-coated wool), and Castlemilk Moorit (uniformly moorit but also very pretty, incredibly fine, soft fleece, but quite short; incredibly lean, flavoursome meat.  RBST category At Risk.)   

And not at all rare, not primitive, but would probably cope with your conditions (and they have a black face although they're not as cute as the Valais), the Scottish Blackface.