Soay sheep are a primative rare breed sheep, with genetics that date back to the Bronze Age. These sheep have existed on the islands of St. Kilda, off the west coast of Scotland, for many centuries. It is believed that they were placed on the island by vikings who sailed the North Sea. In the 1930's the people of Hirta, the largest of the St. Kilda islands, asked to be removed from the island and relocated in Scotland. At that time a few of the Soay sheep were also moved. Toward the end of the past century a few of the Soay sheep were imported into Canada. All the Soay sheep found in the United States today are the off spring of that importation.
Soays Of America is a conservancy dedicated to preserving this primative breed. This website has links to many breeders in North America and membership information. All Bramble Ridge Farm soays are registered with Soays of America.
Pictures of our first Bramble Ridge Soay lamb. Born May 2002.
This page was last updated on: May 25, 2007
Bramble Ridge Farm is located on the west slope of the Oregon Coast Range. We raise Soay sheep for their wonderful fiber, their ability to control the abundant growth of native vegetation, and their ease of care.
On our farm we are dedicated to preserving the Soay breed as well as passing on the exciting history of these great sheep. Through our farm breeders may purchase Soay sheep, which come with a 5 generation pedigree and certificate of registration with the Soays of America Registry. Our farm is in the Federal Voluntary Scrapie Certification Program. All sheep are tagged with the USDA Scrapie tags.
We also sell fiber that has been hand-rooed from the sheep. We have a variety of colors and fiber type. Please visit our "For Sale" page to see what we have availible.
Annie, Tula, Elsa, and Nolan (Fall 2004)
Elsa (polled ewe), Legolas, and Annie (horned ewe)
