Scottish Blackface

(a.k.a. “Blackie” in the UK, and “Scotties” in the USA)

 

The Scottish Blackface is a hill breed found literally at the top of the pyramid in the stratification of the British sheep industry. In Blackfaces both sexes are horned, with the rams having a double spiral. They have a roman nose, a clean face with black and white markings; legs are free of wool and mottled black and white. There are four types of Scottish Blackfaces, and all are renowned for their hardiness and thrifty use of sparse grazing, and the ability to withstand harsh weather. Purebred ewes are drafted to marginal upland farms where they are crossbred with a Bluefaced Leicester tup to produce the ever popular Scotch Mule ewe.

 

Perth type: Is large framed with a medium to heavy wool and found mainly in north-east Scotland, south-west England, and Northern Ireland.

 

Lanark type:      Dominant type in much of Scotland and areas of Ireland, it is of medium size with shorter wool than the Perth type.

 

Newton Stewart type:   The original Newton Stewart or ‘Galloway’ type is a compact, burly sheep with a short, thick rain resistant coat, and is found in its native south-west Scotland and many of the hard wet areas of the west of Scotland, the Hebrides and Ireland. In the past Newton Stewart blood has been introduced to the other types, benefiting both milking ability and hardiness.

 

Northumberland type: Found in the North of England, it is large framed, soft wooled, and popular and influential in breeding the North of England Mule.

 

Avg. lambing percentage: 100% on the hill,

                                          150% in upland areas.

Avg. ram weight: 180 lbs.

Avg. ewe weight: 140 lbs.

Wool:

• Coarse
• White
• 6” – 12” staple length
• Count 28’s – 40’s

 

USA -  Scottish Blackface Breeders Union

           Website: www.SBBU.org 

 

UK -     Blackface Sheep Breeders’ Association

            Website: www.scottish-blackface.co.uk