Whenever I leave the city limits of Edinburgh, I’m always shocked by how many fluffy white animals I see in the countryside. Almost seven million sheep live in Scotland, and they are essential to the country’s economy and culture. Even though I saw many sheep before embarking on this journey, I recently realized how little I know about these friendly creatures. Read on to find out what I’ve learned!
There are many different kinds of sheep in Scotland, but two of the most common types are Scottish Blackface sheep and Cheviot sheep. Scottish Blackface sheep are recognizable by their black or black-and-white faces, horns and white wool. Meanwhile, Cheviot sheep are known for their white faces and cream-colored wool.
When I first saw the sheep in Scotland, I was intrigued by the big, colorful spots on their wool. These spots are called “smit marks,” and farmers use them to identify which sheep belong to which farmers. Additionally, during the mating season, colors help farmers know which ewes (female sheep) may be pregnant and how many new lambs they can expect.
