We have Hebrideans and yes they are good for newbies, they lamb themselves and generally require little intervention in other matters also. Financially starting a flock of hebrideans may be less of a dent in the pocket than starting with some other breeds.
Due to there size they are easier to physically handle for all abilities
They are hardy and good mothers and can live on less perfect land quite happily. They would be well suited for Skye and the all 4 seasons in one day that the Highlands and Islands get.
The meat carcass although obviously smaller than other breeds (8 -10kgs of butchered meat if taken Oct / Nov time or 15 - 20 kg of butchered meat if taken the next spring / summer as hogget). However what it lacks in size it make up for in flavour and is exquisite and if you plan on filling your freezer you can't beat it. Crosses with a commercial tup produce bigger lambs but still keep the flavour side also. There is also a niche market for Hebridean lamb meat and you may be able to link into a local hotel / restaurant or similar
The breed society has its own website
http://www.hebrideansheep.org.uk/and Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hebridean-Sheep-Society/450498905019745There are a few people in the Highlands and Islands with Hebrideans and you may be able to pick up local private sales. The main closest sale would be at the spring or Autumn Rare Breeds and poultry sale at Dingwall Auction Mart. The Breed society has a sale in September in Stirling and there is also some at the Rare breeds sales at Thainstone.
Although they really require very little feeding it can be handy ( especially if you don't have a dog) to get them bucket trained so they will go where you want - change field / go into pen etc. If you buy them and they are a bit timid, a week or so in a big pen with plenty access to fresh water and food and regular gentle handling will get them used to you and much more workable.
The other thing to consider is whether you wish to purchase registered or non registered Hebridean obviously with the registered you know what you are getting whilst the non registered may have some cross blood on occasion. The other thing to consider is what your plans are for them as if you wish to sell breeding stock then registered sheep command better prices and the market for an unregistered tup is very limited - even flocks that are unregistered generally buy registered tups. You cannot register stock from unregistered sheep. so that would be a decision to make before buying.
Also don't stint on a tup pick the best you can afford as he is half your flock - depending on numbers of ewes consider buying a tup and tup lamb ( with different parentage to keep your genetics wide) - as you may want to keep the males separate out of the breeding season
The good thing about the breed society sale in September is that the sheep are card graded by experienced breeders so you can actually read the qualities and any faults a sheep may have and therefore have some reassurance in what you are buying and what price you might bid for a specific animal. The Breed also comes in a variety of horn types - a mixed flock is nice unless you have a specific preference.
We are down near Kinross and your welcome to pop in for a look if you passing - Fleece wife on here is down near lanark and has nice hebs also.
There are 2 specific shows for heb classes on the mainland at the royal higland show and border union show but i think some of the island shows have specific classes also.
Hope this helps
BL