Manx Loaghtan Sheep at Fowlescombe Farm, Devon

Manx Loaghtan is an endangered sheep breed that is originally from the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea and that was almost extinct at the beginning of the 1970's. Meanwhile their number has increased to about 1500 female animals, but nevertheless the species is still at high risk. Today, Manx Loaghtan are bred only very rarely, because they do not fulfill the commercial requirements that dictate a faster growth of the lamb's and white wool.

Fowlescombe is located close to Dartmoor and its history goes back to the year 1537. The estate has now for many years been led with dedication by Barbara and Richard Barker and is certified by the Soil Association to organic standards. Both are committed not only to the conservation of rare sheep breeds, but to the protection of animals and environment in a much broader sense and they are members of the committee of the RBST's Devon Support Group. Fowlescombe offers holiday cottages in a magnificent landscape – 2009/2010 the farm has won the Beautiful Farm Award for West- and Southwest Great Britain.

We visited Fowlescombe in June 2014 for the sheep shearing in order to meet Barbara, Richard and their exceptional sheep. The animals graze on bountiful pastures over several hills and on meadows with apple trees. The lands stretch over 191 hectars in all. Currently, they have about 100 ewes of the Manx Loaghtan and Hebridean breeds. Together with the lambs and rams, there are about 250 sheep in total on the farm.

In the video Richard tells us about the Fowlescombe flock.

[nanm]

They are beautiful. I just drop spun some Manx Loaghtan.  
I LOVE how it drafts, its liveliness, & the dimension in color. 
Profuse thanks for preserving this breed.

[aliciacb]

I don't get why everyone wants white sheep, the manx loaghtan colour is gorgeous. I've just finished some mittens out of that fleece and I wish they'd breed more sheep to be brown and a deeper richer brown and black. Instead of breeding them white then dyeing their yarn anyway