Blackface Sheep

Blackface Sheep

ID: QZP99_97193_04_07 DESCRIPTION: The origins of this breed have been lost in time but it is known that monks in the 12th century raised blackface sheep for wool. In 1503, James IV established a flock of blackface sheep in the Ettrick Forest. The sheep are well suited to hills and mountains and are useful in improving pasture land. Blackface sheep were introduced into North Scotland in the early 19th century but they were soon cleared to make way for cheviot sheep whose wool was more valuable. As prices levelled out, blackface sheep became favoured in many places because of their hardiness on the mountains. This image comes from a collection gifted to Edinburgh Central Library by Dr Isabel F. Grant. The collection includes photographs taken by a number of different photographers. PLACENAME: N/A CREATOR (AV): Margaret Fay Shaw (Mrs J L Campbell) SOURCE: Edinburgh and Scottish Collection, Edinburgh Central Library COLLECTION: I F Grant Photographic Archive Asset ID: 38914 KEYWORDS: