Emerging from the rugged landscapes of Scotland, this medium-sized, horned sheep with distinctive black face and legs is one of the most iconic and resilient in the world. Its story spans centuries, marked by its adaptability to harsh conditions and its significance in agriculture. However, the wool from this breed, while once considered a vital and versatile resource, has been largely overshadowed by other types in recent years. At Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear we’re pioneering a revival, bringing this wool to the forefront of luxury knitwear.
The earliest records of Scottish Blackface sheep can be traced back to the 12th century, when monastery documents referred to horned hill sheep that were used for wool and meat. Monks crafted clothing from the wool and had enough to be able to export large amounts to Europe as well. These sheep quickly became known for their resilience in Scotland’s mountainous terrains, and over centuries farmers selectively bred Blackface for their ability to thrive in harsh conditions, realising that this breed was perfectly suited to hill and mountain grazing.
As the Scottish Blackface evolved, regional variations of the breed emerged. The large-framed Perth type has medium to heavy long wool, while the smaller-framed Newton Stewart type (local to our UNESCO Biosphere region) boasts a more refined but no less durable wool. These variations still exist, although intermixing of the types is common today.
These hardy creatures are prized for their exceptional mothering abilities; ewes are fiercely protective of their lambs, ensuring that they survive the most challenging weather and threats from predators. Blackface ewes are often crossed with other breeds such as Bluefaced Leicester to produce hardier hybrids like the Scotch Mule. These crosses contribute significantly to the production of high-quality lamb and despite so much agricultural change over the centuries, the Scottish Blackface has retained its place as one of the most numerous and vital sheep breeds in Britain.
Since the late 19th century, Blackface wool has become less central to the breed’s economic role as sheep farming evolved and began to place more focus on meat production. Wool became less economically viable, and often ‘the wool cheque’ – the money farmers got from selling the fleece – no longer covered the costs of shearing. Instead, the hardwearing thread of Scottish Blackface wool found its use primarily in carpet-making and upholstery. As fashion and farming both changed in response to globalisation and other market influences, the reputation of Scottish Blackface wool diminished, and in recent years has been one of the cheapest fleeces on the market.
At Merrick we are proud to bring this exceptional sheep and its wool to a position of prominence in the luxury textile industry, and share the texture and durability of our unique yarn. Our social enterprise is all about innovation and capturing potential. By creating garments that showcase the strength and beauty of Scottish Blackface wool Merrick is opening a new chapter for this heritage breed, blending centuries of tradition with the very best of modern design.
Did you know…? Rams (also known as ‘tups’ in Scotland) can achieve very high prices at market due to their breeding potential, especially if their physical characteristics exemplify the breed. In 2020 a record was set for a Blackface ram lamb: it sold for £200,000 at auction in Stirling!
Further reading: get to know more about Blackies via the Scottish Blackface Breeders’ Association.