Hebridean sheep on the shore Hebridean sheep on the shore Hebridean sheep on the shore

Our Story

A long time ago (circa 850 A.D.) the Vikings arrived on the shores of the Hebrides in long boats, bringing with them their northern short-tailed sheep...

OUR STORY

ABOUT MEG

SUSTAINABILITY
Hebridean sheep on the shore

The Yarn Behind the Yarn

A long time ago (circa 850 A.D.) the Vikings arrived on the shores of the Hebrides in long boats, bringing with them their northern short-tailed sheep. In time they settled, their long boats built for speed and long sea voyages were adapted for inter-island passage and became the Hebridean galley or Birlinn.


The Hebrideans saw an opportunity in the Birlinn and adopted it as their battle craft, waging war on the Vikings and in 1158 the dynasty of the Lord of the Isles began. The Vikings departed the Hebrides soon after but they left behind their genes, Birlinn boat design and their sheep.


In time this primitive and hardy Norse sheep evolved, travelled a bit and inter-bred, resulting in the Hebridean sheep that we rear on our croft at Sunhill today.


At The Birlinn Yarn Company we are proud of the Norse and Hebridean heritage bred into our sheep. Hence, we twine this creative yarn into everything we do.
Hebridean sheep on the coast Hebridean sheep on the coast Hebridean sheep on the coast
Hebridean sheep on the coast

Sunhill & Seafaring Sheep

Sunhill ‘Cnoc na Grèine’ is a family run croft on the Isle of Berneray in the Outer Hebrides. 

We rear pedigree Hebridean sheep and our whole farm plan ensures the best in animal husbandry and careful consideration for our island biodiversity and ecology.


Our sheep lamb on our croft in the spring and spend the summer grazing next to our house on Sunhill. In early July, we shear the sheep on the croft and the wool is then sorted, graded and sent to the mill along with other Hebridean fleeces from neighbouring island crofts. In the autumn, we gather all our sheep and wean the male lambs by taking them offshore to islands in the Sound of Harris. The ewes go to the tup in October then spend the winter on the machair common grazing.


Though not carried to and fro across the Sound of Harris by Birlinn, they are still very much ‘seafaring sheep’.

About Meg

This is me, Meg Rodger, I started The Birlinn Yarn Company in 2016 following a couple of years of trialling small batches of yarn. This showed me that there was an opportunity to value the wool produced from our expanding flock of rare breed, pedigree Hebridean sheep.


As the business has grown, we now buy fleece from crofters across the Outer Hebrides. By working with them, we are supporting the traditional Hebridean crofting way of life that has existed in these islands for generations.


Those buying our yarn and products appreciate that we are small-scale, care for our sheep and our fragile island ecology. 


Our product range takes inspiration from the Norse and Hebridean heritage of the islands and our sheep, combined with a contemporary twist.
Meg in Birlinn studio with knitting samples and a wall of yarn behind her Meg in Birlinn studio with knitting samples and a wall of yarn behind her Meg in Birlinn studio with knitting samples and a wall of yarn behind her
Meg in Birlinn studio with knitting samples and a wall of yarn behind her

Sustainability

Our island environment, culture, community and simple way of life are very important to us as a family. Values that we hope we can share with you through our products.

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Birlinn studio, red building with the sea behind it Birlinn studio, red building with the sea behind it Birlinn studio, red building with the sea behind it

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Birlinn studio, red building with the sea behind it