Lost Valley Soay Sheep
2010
In historical times, the islanders of Hirta would make annual pilgrimages to the island of Soay, gathering the naturally shed fleece each summer and returning home. Today the wild Soay are studied by researchers from throughout the world. The sheep represent an unique opportunity to study population dynamics of wild herbivores in a predator free environment.
Lost Valley is located in northeast Washington, in the Selkirk Mountains. We breed American Soay Sheep, selecting for strong hardy animals with full horn development. Soay sheep are a primary component in our development of productive pastures and woodlots.
Contact: hayman@wildblue.net
Soay Sheep
Soay Sheep are smaller, primitive sheep that have been wild on the offshore islands of Scotland for thousands of years. It is believed the sheep first originated from Norse traders about 4 thousand years ago. They have run wild over the islands of St Kilda, Hirta and Soay ever since. The name Soay, for which the island and sheep are named, is believed to originate from the Norse term for sheep.
