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Orkney

Orkney Trip

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Oh, sorry, I wrote the wrong place. No, we went to SOUTH R, not NORTH. Please excuse a memory that's a bit less than could be desired.

St. Margaret's Hope, on South Ronaldsay --on the way to Isbister, Tomb of the Eagles-- was the location of the little knitting shop according to notes. So of course we were merely driving from Orkney Island. But it was a lovely drive.

Don't want to claim credit for trips not taken! Loie and I are not as adventurous as you more dedicated MAs.

As to the sheep, I haven't the foggiest notion. I don't know about seaweed, but I know some of the coast we were passing seemed perfect for kelpies. Do THEY eat kelp?

The shop owner seemed proud of the concept of the "Rare Breeds." Perhaps that was just her pulling my leg, talking up the tourists? We had looked in more than a few shops, even the home shop of a weaver on Harris and a knitter in Yesnaby in search of sweaters (pullover styles, so, jumpers?). The one I bought was rather different in color from what we had seen. So I was inclined to believe there was something to her description, but then, I'm often too trusting.

I imagine the rare breeds would be North Ronaldsay or the St. Rognald's with the impressive two sets of horns. The North Ronaldsay sheep are kept to the shore to eat kelp by an island round drystane dyke. Because they have been bred to the iodine in seaweed they die if put to pasture ! So taken south they need supplements.
I see The Woolshed use the Rinansey sheep (Benlaw, Costa, Evie, KW17 2NN [Tel: 01856 751305]), so imagine The Workshop in the Hope (Front Rd, St Margaret's Hope, South Ronaldsay, KW17 2SL [Tel: 01856 831587]) do too