Variety's the very spice of life That gives it all its flavour

I think the words of poet William Cowper describe the essence of what is special about Native Shetland Seaweed Lambs. These sheep are born to flocks that live with access to graze on the shore. The variety in their diet derives from the freedom to graze the diverse natural flora found on the heathery hill, the green of long abandoned crofts and of course the shoreline. This croft on the Stromness peninsular in Shetland is typical of where Shetland Sheep have evolved to thrive. 

These are not sheep that graze exclusively on the shore. The meat is flavoured by a natural marinade of the essential oils found in the native herbs, the sugars in the young grass tips, and the trace elements found in the seaweeds. This is lamb that tastes of where it comes from.
Like all hefted hill flocks, they are managed with minimal intervention with the only disturbance an occasional walker or a passing boat. Somehow the experienced ewes know the topography and can guide the lambs to shelter in bad weather. They know where to find the best grazing as the seasons turn.

Shetland Sheep are salt tolerant so they can graze seaweeds and benefit from the trace elements they contain

I admire the terrier like qualities of Shetland Sheep that enable them to thrive in what can be a harsh environment