“Britain’s Loneliest Sheep” is lonely no longer after a daring rescue by a group of farmers. Fiona was first spotted by kayakers almost three years ago on a beach in the Scottish Highlands. The kayakers reported the sighting of the very shaggy sheep and the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) attempted to save the sheep in Cromarty Firth but it was “incredibly complex” with the very steep slope and the rocky terrain.
Fiona’s plight came to the attention of five farmers who decided Fiona had been alone long enough so armed with ropes and a sack, they made their way down the slope to rescue Fiona. The rescue mission was organized by Cammy Wilson, a sheep shearer from Ayrshire, after he saw a newscast about her.
Wilson was joined by fellow farmers Graeme Parker, Als Couzens, Ally Williamson and James Parker. The farmers were concerned that Fiona might become stressed on the journey up the steep embankment but it turned out they were more scared than she was.
“The only difference between us being heroes and idiots is a slip of the foot,” Wilson said of the treacherous ascent. But Fiona was unfazed and nibbled on grass as she was being hauled up the slope.
After being checked over by the SSPCA Fiona was taken to her new home at Dalscone Farm.
Fiona had three years of wool weighing her down but displayed a calm attitude when being sheared, which blew away Wilson. Wilson sheared Fiona and explained, “Sheep like Fiona would usually be sheared mid summer so by leaving an inch of wool on she will have the same cover as most of her new friends at Dalscone Farm!”
He added, “Fiona’s massive fleece will go to Wooldale Wool to be made into something amazing that we can raffle off for charity.”
Fiona seems non plussed about all the attention she’s getting and really doesn’t seem to be affected by her past solitary life. That’s one resilient sheep!
Here’s Wilson sharing more about Fiona’s rescue in his own words.
Another one of the rescuers, who runs the YouTube channel the Hoof GP also shared his experience of their rescue.
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links.