"Best of British Breeds" Sweater: The Shetland

SHETLAND WOOL: This unique Shetland sweater has been knitted here in the heart of Scotland, using undyed, natural raw organic Shetland wool, ethically sourced, sheared and spun in the UK from a selection of unique native breeds. The Shetland wool fibre has been processed using traditional time-honoured techniques with an emphasis on sustainability and a low environmental impact. The absence of any dyeing process allows the natural colours, nuances and shades of each “Best of British” breeds to be reflected in the finished garment.

SHETLAND SHEEP: Shetland sheep are small primitive wool sheep. Loosely defined as “fine-boned, light-footed, grass-fed livestock” who are hardy by nature. Shetlands are one of the smallest of the British Breeds, while retaining many of the characteristics of wild sheep. As the name suggests, they have their origins on Shetland, with roots going back more than a thousand years. Once classified as endangered by the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST), they have since surged in popularity. 

This resurgence is not just down to the Shetlands “world-renowned” fine wool fleece or small self-sufficient nature, but also due to their ability to browse and graze most vegetation and terrains, making them a useful environmentally friendly tool in conservation grazing. Check out “Bracken of Aird” above, a young Shetland tup on a snowy backdrop of a field here in the Scottish Borders.