Heatherlea Black Cheviot
Farming on a croft in the Highlands
Heatherlea Croft sits in a remote Sutherland Strath in the Scottish Highlands and is run by George and Sabrina Ross.
We are 5th Generation crofters and run a flock of Hill North Country Cheviot sheep alongside our smaller flock of the rare Black Hill North Country Cheviot. A Scottish superstition states that having some black sheep in your flock will bring good luck. We have always kept a couple of black cheviot ewes in our flock of white cheviots. In 2016 one of our oldest ewes, named Black Granny, had a stunning black male lamb. So for the first time in our Heatherlea flock history we kept a black ram lamb entire and we have not looked back.
What is so amazing about working with British wool? We can be 100% traceable to our entire flock, we are fully sustainable using our own resources.
If any/ what have been your challenges with working with British wool and a local way of working? Imported wool costs are a fraction compared to what it costs in the UK. Fast fashion is the enemy of sustainable wool businesses in the UK. The overall wool image needs to be improved in order to see change.
What gauge of Knitwear do you sell? i.e fine gauge 10-12gg or more chunky knits such as 7-5gg? Lace to chunky (Lace - 2/14’s - 4/7’s, ) all Scottish wool from our own croft.
What weaving looms do you use and how many do you have? Peg loom and Frome loom 2.
Do you finish onsite? If not, is it convenient or what would be your ideal situation? UK weaving mill.
Do you find a lot of push back in the industry in terms of working with British wool? Yes, its very expensive to produce, mill prices are high and wholesale is impossible.
Do you find that customers are becoming more interested in British wool? Yes, I think that the realisation that a lot of work goes into it from farm to production, but thankfully all of my customers understand that and really value it for what it is.
On a scale of 1- 10 (1 being the lowest and 10 excellent) how much do you think your business has improved in the below areas as a result of good working practices and environmental standards?
Waste Production - 10 (off-cuts, production)
Plastic Pollution - 9 (packaging)
Energy Consumption - 8 (shipping, machinery and low carbon footprint)
* on my undyed natural wool with 100% traceability to my flock, the sheep are on the hill in the middle of the Scottish Highlands. As a 5th Generation Crofters it certainly is a wool with provenance.
Do you have any hero farmers or people in your supply chain you would like to highlight? My husband George, his knowledge and understanding of the wool business is astounding.