The animals of the Holy Isle
It took us two days and driving through the remnants of Hurricane Katia, (with 80 mpg winds) but we finally made it to the Isle of Arran. Once there, we took another ferry to the tiny Holy Isle where we hiked up the two middle mountains in search of the islands unique animals: the Eriskay ponies, Saanen goats, and Soay sheep.
I was most interested in the Soay sheep, who are believed to be closely related to the wild-type predecesser of the domestic sheep, the mouflon. I talk about the origins of domestic animals in my UW class, and have lectured about mouflons for years.. and here was my chance to see animals as close as it comes to ancient sheep. And there they were: grazing on the grass right in front of the pier. They were very tame, so we were able to sit and watch them while we rested from our hike. I noticed that they used their horns with abandon,, making lateral thrusts to “resource guard” the best patch of grass.
Here’s some of the ponies standing in bracken ferns. There are 3 bands on the island and it was great to see them both from a distance grazing on far hills and up close like these three. One band had two young foals, but I don’t have a good photo of them.
And here’s why we were resting after our four to five mile hike. We were already partway down when I took this picture of Jim and the view. A picture of me would’ve shown a muddy butt cuz it was so steep in parts that I slid down on my rear end. A rock climber I’m not, and I don’t mind admitting I was truly scared for part of it. But we made it down and it was worth it — what an amazing view, hey?
Now we’re in Penrith, a few miles from the World Sheepdog Trials. We’ll be there much of Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Can’t wait! I’ll send reports as I can.
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Patricia B. McConnell, PhD, CAAB Emeritus is an applied animal behaviorist who has been working with, studying, and writing about dogs for over twenty-five years. She encourages your participation, believing that your voice adds greatly to its value. She enjoys reading every comment, and adds her own responses when she can.
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I used to look after Soay sheep in my youth, they always reminded me of deer rather than sheep, especially as they don’t flock, although they could be bribed with a jammy piece ( jam sandwich ).
Brilliant:)
Oh, those ponies remind me of a friend who vacations on Chincoteague Island every year. They no longer go for the pony pennings but enjoy the wonderful small towns and friends made over years. Ah, Misty and Stormy live!
So jealous! There are some Soay flocks here in Oregon, and I covet a little farm with Soay and Shetland. What a wonderful adventure you have experienced.
Sometimes it doesn’t matter whether it was done with perfect style points. What matters is that you did it.
I’m not good with rock climbing or heights either … but what a view!
Awesome pix! (Pretty neat story too.)
WOW! What an experience!!! I am sooooo jealous!!!!
We see Soay sheep down here in southern England too. Their wool comes off in large chunks, so they look pretty scraggly much of the time.
Glad you’re enjoying Scotland! My husband loves to watch the sheepdog trials. Last year, he excitedly called me in to watch them on tv, saying, “You’ve got to see this! This dog is so smart, he could write a treatise on Goethe!” That’s when I knew he secretly wanted a border collie. We ended up with a golden retriever/border collie cross, so both of us are happy!
Love the photos of “the land” “the water”, the “critters”.
Such awesome adventures. Lucky gal!
Gorgeous pictures! Love the ponies in the ferns. Thanks for sharing!
I’m just catching up on your blog after a period of too much to do and too little time, and I’m so jealous of all the fun you’re having.