Making money from seaweed-eating sheep in Orkney
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- čas přidán 4. 11. 2023
- My parents have been farming a rare breed of seaweed-eating sheep on a remote island in Scotland called Auskerry for nearly half a century, but age and ill health is forcing them to face a future away from their island home. With so much still to do on the farm, I left my job as a TV reporter in Cardiff, Wales for four months in order to help. I took a camera and some lenses and decided to make a CZcams series to show what life is really like on the island where I grew up, and was named after.
Episode 5 is all about celebrating the amazing variety and beauty of the products created by my parents on the island. Mum gets to work hand-dyeing our wool and preparing that for sale at the upcoming Kirkwall County Show on the Orkney mainland. Then in the evening I go for a cold but beautiful sea swim with family friend Mira at sunset.
Please share and subscribe for future episodes. I'd love to see your comments on the series so far as it's the first time I've done something like this. If you’re interested in my parents’ products, please go to isleofauskerry.com
Shot on my new Sony A7C (28mm, 35-70mm, 70-180mm lenses)
Audio with DJI wireless lavs and Rode Videomic NTG
#farming #documentary #islandlife #remoteliving #orkney #offgrid #hiddenhistory #scotland
Thank you so much for your support for my videos! As a family we're facing a lot of challenges to our way of life, but knowing what we do is resonating with people around the world genuinely makes it easier to approach the future. If you'd like to support the creation of future videos, please consider donating at www.buymeacoffee.com/hamishauskerry ❤
Hmm . yours look quite similar to that breed . might be shared dna here
Do your parents have a shop to buy the items they make from?
We all owe a debt to your parents for keeping these ancient way of life and these special sheep alive. May your video inspire others to take this up.
Thank you Kathleen. They’ve certainly inspired me!
@@SheriffofCZcams that would be brilliant! Thanks mate
@hamishausherry sir just a suggestion. You have documented thru the modern medium what your parents do , with a bit of political will and determination could that breed be helped by foundations …Government or private?
@@SheriffofCZcams it is getting very close to 100,000 views! @hamishauskerry I Pray your momma and dad are with you for many more years to come!
💜Loved this. Sometimes CZcams randomly throws up a gem, this is one of them.
Ah that’s lovely to hear - thanks for watching!
@@hamishauskerry you live the BRAVEST &MOST VALUABLE KIND OF LIFE that a human can live, so SUPREMELY worthy of EXAMPLE
So many cottage industries from around the world have been lost, it is refreshing to see one such still being practiced. God bless your family.
Thanks Greg!
Its very romantic, but we don't miss wagon wheel making do we, because there's no need for it, just a niche market
You have created a wonderful tribute to your parents. Thank you for sharing their special story. I just want to watch it again and again.
Aw thanks Shelagh! It’s my love letter to the island ☺️
quite brilliant, three cheers for the sea weed eating Rothesay and the determination of Simon and Teresa.
Thank you! And cheers to you watching ☺️
Lovely episode. Your parents have really kept a beautiful way of life. I hope that when the time comes there will be like minded people to carry on the tradition. I know your parents are deeply grateful for your commitment to help them stay in their home for as long as they can.
Thank you Lynne - that’s really kind ❤️
Thank you for sharing the incredible life your parents have built for themselves. As a fibre artist I can appreciate the hard work and creativity it takes to produce such stunning yarn.
Thanks so much Wendy! Quite right - my mum is amazing 🤩
Wonderful, simply wonderful. Thank for sharing this inspiring glimpse into your life, your parents and their absolute faith in their path. These are the loveliest sheep.
Thank you so much for your comments and for watching! They truly are brilliant sheep
The colour of the dyed wool is incredible. Subtle & infinitely varied.
Days of hard hard work, but also moments of being so alive, of belonging to such a beautiful corner of the earth.
Thank you to you & your family for inviting us into this life you've built with your own hands. Bless the sheep!
Thank you so much for this lovely comment! If you’re interested in the finished product - it’s available at isleofauskerry.com :)
It’s such a magical place - I was so lucky to grow up there. Thanks for watching
Thank you, thank you, thank you for doing this series! Your parents have built a wonderful business, and yes, I am interested in the product. But more than that, I am keenly interested in the growth and prosperity of your family's business. How that will happen, I wouldn't know. But the Lord knows, and I am keeping you and your family in my heart and prayers.
Really loved this. Makes me think of long passed Norwegian grandparents and what there coastal life with sheep and farm were like. My grandmother made the most beautiful weavings all naturally dyed and I’m so grateful to still have some.
That’s beautiful Lisa - what an amazing life they must have lived doing that. Thanks for watching 😊
Greeting from New Jersey, USA. First time watching. I'm only 1 minute in and completely hooked!
Ah that’s lovely to hear! I hope you enjoy the rest of the series so far 🙌
Thank you for taking us on this journey to your parent's home and business. What amazing people your folks are to make that land their home. I can't even imagine the transition they will be making.
Thank you - this is very thoughtful and kind. It's very hard witnessing the progression of the dementia but we're all pulling together as best we can. Thank you for watching and supporting
WOW ! Im so happy I found this channel and met your awesome parents ! Please tell them I so admire the long years of work and sacrifice ! 👭👭❤😍
Aw thanks so much Jackie! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the videos - it was such a pleasure for me to capture parts of life on the island and celebrate what my parents have achieved!
How amazing and captivating - I'm sorry your Dad is struggling, my Father's in a similar boat - must be so tough when there is so much to do. The sheep seem extremely worthy of saving, your Mum is a living dynamo. Keep safe up there.
Thank you very much - this is a very kind message. My mum is incredible and she so wants to keep the breed going if at all possible. Best wishes to you and your dad.
The peace surrounding your story is organic, warm and gratefully warm in the cold. The background noise interrupts the mood.Like the door busting unavoidable commercials. I’ve noticed a movement this way. What a shame. Thanks for the invitation to join your reflection. No, or much lower background noise is unnecessary.
My wife and have five children, and as new born babies they each received a lambs wool fleece to sleep on. The comfort and close attachment to them, I am sure has been life changing. These children have all grown into confident self assured adults, and I am sure that these Lamb fleeces contributed much to who they are today.
It certainly won’t have done them any harm! Good natural fibres are so much better than plastic. Thanks for watching!
Greetings from Poland I liked your story about your parents and friends especially the wooly ones.
😂 thanks for watching Colin!
Do your parents have an online shop? I'm sure there is a market for their products. Thank you for making these series, either way. This is definitely a labor of love.
Thanks for watching Angie! Yes they do actually - here’s the link: isleofauskerry.com
Amazing life but you can see isn’t easy,they work very hard,loved to see such craft artists 😘
@@maristermcsorley4203 thanks very much for your kind comment and for watching! My parents are amazing - the skills they’ve learnt are so varied ❤️
My compliments to your parents for their perseverance with the sheep and the products they make. Lovely breed of sheep! Thanks for sharing a glimpse of their life.❤
That’s very kind - thanks very much for watching!
How lovely! I hope there’s a plan to preserve what your parents have worked so hard for.
Thank you! We're working through everything :)
Beautiful colours the wool
Thanks Mandy! You can see all the final products on my parents’ website - isleofauskerry.com
What a fascinating and interesting story about your parents and life on Auskerry. Can’t wait to see more. New subscriber from Boston in the US.
Checked out your online shop as well. Great website & beautiful handmade textiles.
Thanks so much for watching! I’d love to visit Massachusetts - beautiful state.
So beautiful when the mother brushes the skin and it turned out so magically lovely. I have no words to explain. Thank you mom n dad for your hard work producing magically amazing rugs and wool.🙏🙏🙏🌷🌹🌺💐🍁🌲👍👍👍❣️❣️💕💕🏵️🏵️💎🌿🌲
Ah this is very thoughtful, thank you Mohammed! That machine makes an amazing difference doesn't it! Thank you for watching
Stumbled across this episode and will now definitely watch them all. This is wonderful. Fantastic doc too. I’ll be buying some wool for sure.
Ah thank you so much! It’s all been very new to me to film and edit these and the response has really given me a boost! Isleofauskerry.com is the place for all our products. Thanks for watching!
That was so well done! More, please!
Thanks Mary!
This is such great content, a rare find.
I pretty much enjoyed the photography too, especially the wool shots at 3:45-4:15. Very pleasant to watch on a large TV screen.
Greetings from France.
Thank you so much Simone et salut! I’m just starting out with this new camera and learning a lot. It’s very cool that you’ve seen this video and I appreciate your comments🙏
Amazing!!!!
Thank you!!
This is an outstanding record of a unique way of life. I hope you are thinking of persuading your mother to tell the story of their life in a book with plenty of technical detail. My goodness, but what must it have been like in the 1970s.
Thank you for watching Emma! Thankfully my mum has already made great strides with writing a book about the early years there. All of us can’t wait to read what she’s written and hopefully one day it will be published…
Hi, this reminds me of a storey I came across here in New Zealand. Possibly the rarest cattle breed in the world, Enderby Island cattle evolved from 80 years of wild isolation on Enderby Island, the northernmost island of the Auckland Islands, 320km south of New Zealand. Settlers introduced nine cattle in the 1890s in an attempt to establish farming on the island. While the cattle were an unknown breed, the ship’s manifest describes them as being “shorthorns” - a generic term in those days to describe many breeds of cattle. The attempt to establish farming failed because of the climate, and the settlers abandoned the island in 1910, leaving the cattle behind. The cattle survived over the next 80 years, feeding on Enderby’s scrub vegetation, southern rata, and seaweed.
These survivors were nearly eradicated when DOC decided that they were endangering local fauna and wanted them slaughtered! The taste of sheep and cattle that are of a hardy stock that grow slowly to maturity is hard to find. 99% of butchers cant name the breed of the animals they are selling. Most lambs are sold to market at too early age and produce a tasteless meat. I have farmed White faced Angus, Red Deer, Angora goats and Texel sheep. The last time I had tasty meal of any of these animals when we ate the last of our home killed stock twenty years ago. Ah, for a boned shoulder of a Texel hogget done on a BBQ, or venison back steaks, or venison liver or sweetbreads! Those were the days when we ate what we grew, farmed, caught in the river or hunted in the bush.
Cheers mate. Harera
Ah this is fascinating - thanks for getting in touch! I agree: the taste of our meat is fantastic. People usually imagine it will be salty or fishy in some way but it’s just got a deep flavour, more like game than normal lamb. It’s so satisfying to produce your own food on your doorstep, knowing it’s the greenest thing you can eat, as well as the tastiest. Your part of the world sounds amazing - I’d love to visit! Take care mate and thanks for watching
It's so satisfying to see all the lovely skeins of yarn dyed, washed and hanging on the line in the fresh air -- just lovely.
Thank you! It’s a special sight ☺️
Hamish that was so lovely and very instructive..beautifully filmed. Best Gillian Jenkind
Thanks so much Gillian! I really appreciate you watching. H
Align with nature and her ancient wisdom, not the disastrous path humanity for far too long has been manipulated and pushed along. What wonderful work your parents have done for this precious breed and to awaken many.
Thank you - that’s really thoughtful and kind ☺️
I absolutely love the beautiful dyes of this wool. Such gorgeous natural hues!
Ah that’s so lovely to hear! Thanks for watching :) if you’re in need of some wooly Christmas presents… isleofauskerry.com ☺️
Beautiful wool. Lovely video.
Thanks very much Veronica!
Y’all are going to kill me! I already have way too much yarn in my house, and now I’m going to have to order some of this because I love the ocean sheeps
You can never have too much I reckon! You can find it all over at isleofauskerry.com :) thanks for watching!!
I used to live on an island in Maine with our wild sheep….but only in the summer. Sometimes we would have winter vacations there. I have been a spinner , felter and weaver because of it. I love wool. I did chuckle when I saw the tools on the wall with painted outlines. My father made me paint the outline for tools also, and heaven forbid someone did not return a tool to its proper place! The world owes your parents a world of gratitude! 🐑🐑🐏🐏
Haha dad has never been good at putting things back to be honest 😂 Thanks so much for watching ❤️
P.S an island in Maine sounds amazing! What is it called?
@@hamishauskerry mosquito island off port Clyde Maine.
Fantastic video mate. Real professional production and your folks seem like absolute legends. You must be very proud 💪🏻
Thank you this is very kind! They really are brilliant - I’m just really chuffed to have had the chance to celebrate what they’ve achieved. Thanks for watching!
that is just wonderful viewing. thank you for a look into the amazing world you call home...
Ah that’s really kind, thank you for watching! ☺️
Have just watched the series on Auskerry. What an amazing island. Wonderful living traditions. Hard work on a day to day basis. Loved the turf cutting, sheep shearing, wool dying and the fun had at your music festival. May it long continue, hope your father continues to do well in 'his' environment, that your mother has the strength to continue to care for him. Thank you so much for giving me such insight.
Thankyou so much for this very kind comment ❤️ it’s so special to have been able to share my brilliant parents’ lives with people from around the world - but also to share our pain at the difficult challenges we face. Take care and thanks for watching ☺️
I understand to a certain extent the challenges ahead, working as a carer for dementia. But stick with it, make your father in difficult moments as comfortable as possible in his home/known surroundings. Help your mother to take small time outs for herself. Encourage them to accept help where possible. I shall think of them and wish them well.
@@helenangelful ❤️❤️
I’m in awe what a childhood you must have had..
It was certainly unique! Had its challenges of course but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Thanks for watching!
So beautiful. The work your parents do is so inspiring, I can also see the work and dedication . A beautiful video.
Thank you! That’s really kind ☺️
Real hard work, am blessed to see people like your parents who reminds me the old values exist and persists.if you continue their path then it would become a legacy as like some asian families tend to have.much admiration and respect.
Thank you! My parents are an inspiration ☺️
Thank you for making that film! It's pure magic !
Ah thank you so much that’s very kind! Ir means a lot that people have enjoyed it ☺️
What amazing parents you have Hamish, God bless them
Thanks so much Matthew! Take care mate 👍
Watching from New York. Wonderful video. Bless. 😊❤
Ah that’s so cool! Thanks for watching 😀
I loved everything about this video! I really admire your parents so much for making their dreams a reality. Also their yarn is beautiful.
Thank you so much! They’re amazing people for sure. If you’re interested in the final product, it’s all over on their website isleofauskerry.com :)
Stunning place. Absolutely stunning. If only I'd been brought up in this environment, then I wouldnt have chosen the path I made in life.
Thank you so much! We are incredibly lucky to call such a beautiful place home. Take care of yourself 👍
@@hamishauskerry Thank you.
Your parents are amazing people ! Extraordinary ,hard workers and succesful business builders and owners . I wish somehow you would take over ...
Thank you for watching! My parents are brilliant and what they’ve achieved is so inspiring to me. Never say never but I am very passionate about my own career, which means I have to live away from the island. We’d all love to see someone else take it on and enjoy their own chapter on the island!
Thank you for preserving this method and showing the world it can be done. What a beautiful story! I decree and declare I life and healing, all the spiritual blessings of the God of Israel and may he preserve you bless you and give you peace, amen.
Thank you for watching!
Loved your video. The wool looks amazing. I look forward to knitting with it. Thank you 🏴
Thanks Christine! Hope the knitting goes well 👍
Incredible. I love it!
Thanks so much for watching!
Fascinating Hamish, just great to have a record of what happens on your parent's island.
Thank you! That was the whole reason for doing this series really - I just wanted to make sure I, and my future kids etc possibly, have the ability to see the island farm in full colour! Thanks for watching
Wow, I never knew that sheep could eat seaweed!
They’re incredible things! Thanks for watching ☺️
These sheep must be very healthy because seaweed contain so many minerals like iodine and magnesium.
Very beautyfull way of living ❤❤❤
Absolutely! They’re incredibly well adapted to their environment. It’s how all sheep used to be before they were intensively farmed I think. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for sharing your parents’ story. We visited the Orkney Islands on our trip to Scotland last year, a fascinating place.
It's a really very magical place! I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. Thanks for watching!
Wonderful! Reminds me so much of Nova Scotia where we live with our sheep.
That’s so cool! What sort of sheep do you keep? Thanks for watching!
@@hamishauskerry nothing as special as the ones in the video but they do well here rotated on our pastures. We have 3 Dorper and 2 Dorper/black belly mix (hopefully pregnant). There’s NOTHING like raising sheep! Blessings from Somerset, Nova Scotia 🇨🇦
@@spoolsandbobbins Ah I bet it’s incredibly beautiful where you live! I desperately want to travel to that part of Canada when I get the chance 😊
I was born in 74 in Portugal just before the dictatorship ended but all my family from both sides are real strong proper people like your parents and I'm really proud of them all!! Now I see how "privileged" if you want to call it but it's nothing to do with money but the craft and daily grafting,all the struggles and success throughout the years...
Lots of people Think " I wish I could live like this" but I Bet with all I have that 99% of them couldn't handle it or Quit after a couple of weeks!!! Massive Respect, all the best and keep showing and sharing their Amazing Place!!!👍
All the best and merry Christmas!!
Thank you so much for your comment! Most locals in Orkney said they didn’t think dad would last a winter and he’s lasted 49 and counting! Take care and thanks for watching :)
What a beautiful, educational film. Such a lovely product from all their hard work. I would love to own several skins.
Thank you for watching! My parents do international shipping - isleofauskerry.com :)
@@hamishauskerry Thank you. Yes, I found the link!
Fascinating to watch. Im sending my best wishes to your parents from Southern California USA. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! How brilliant you found these videos all the way over there. Take care!
Just a fantastic documentary. Thank you.
That’s really kind, im still learning but getting better I hope! Thanks for watching ☺️
That machine!! the finish is insane!
It’s brilliant, isn’t it? Makes such a difference
This was delightful to see. I'm so grateful you take the time to record this way of life. I'm absolutely jealous, although I do live on a mountainside in the Highlands. This would be something outstanding to try. I can just see myself there. And although I haven't lived on an island for many years [a resort island and nowhere near this interesting], I'd be happy to give it another try -- especially with so much to do in the natural environment and those lovely sheep to tend. That wool yarn -- where else would you find any so unique? I'd love to know where it's sold, and also the sheepskin rugs.
Ah this is lovely - thanks so much for watching! We’re always open to people coming to help on the farm these days as things get tougher! All my parents’ products are available on our website isleofauskerry.com 😊
looking forward to the next video
Thank you! I hope you’ve enjoyed the rest of the series ☺️
Excellent vidio. Thanks
Thank you Brad! Take care
Marvelous, thank you. Here in Northumberland, we have a local farm, whose cattle also graze on the beach & rocks, feeding on seaweed. It surprised me the first time I witnessed it. Thanks for posting.
Ah that’s lovely! I went to university in Newcastle so I love the Northumberland coast. Seaweed is a wonderful resource. Thank you for watching! ☺️
@@hamishauskerryIT's Sugar sands & Howdiemont sands, near Longhoughton. If your Mam & dad need a hand with peat cutting or siimilar this year, let me know. I'm just an old fart, but who nows?
Appreciation from India.
Thank you! Hi to you in India! ☺️
Another beautiful video, thank you for posting. Emotional to see and difficult to comprehend their dedication
Thank you Trevor! It’s certainly a tricky life and it’s only getting harder. Thanks for your support 👍
Thank you for sharing.Very beautiful from new zealand
Ah thank you - and hello to you in NZ!
What a sweet man. I've seen many ways that senility takes people and Simon is handling it well from what you've shared.
Thank you - that’s very kind of you. Thanks for watching ❤️
This has to be one of the most fascinating CZcams series going right now...bravo, thank you!
Aw thanks so much! The response has been way beyond what I ever imagined! Thanks for watching 👍
Just found this today and what a beautiful place and story of your family, I love Scotland and always wanted to go to Orkney so fascinating for me. I have subscribed and look forward to watching your videos.
Thanks so much for watching Jim! I hope you enjoy the earlier videos in the series too. Orkney is a magical place! Take care
I hole heartedly agree with the compliments paid your family, but an unsaid one, is to compliment you for the quality etc of the postings, the documentary quality and wonderful documentary recording for history of your wonderful family and lifestyle so many viewers are jealous of. I’ve shared this with many who I know will love and appreciate it as well.
Wow thanks Rob, this is so kind! I never thought people would be interested in these videos outside of my family and friend group, but comments like this really mean a lot! I'm learning all the time and maybe one day I can make a living from making videos because I do enjoy it! Thank for your support - do take care yourself :)
Wow!! What a way of life! Thanks for sharing this with us!! Just watch the one where you “harvest” peat for the stove, impressive!!
Ah cool! Thanks for staying with my channel - there’s more to come on the peat and other parts of farm life when I get round to edit the rest of my footage 👍
As a fellow CZcamsr I really appreciate the work you've put into these videos, wish I had your skills and story telling ability, made me cry far too often ❤❤
Ah this is really kind, thank you!! It helps that I adore the place and I know it so well. It’s like my video love letter to my childhood home in a way! Thanks for your encouragement ❤️
@@hamishauskerry awesome stuff, reminds me of the Falklands, with the whale bones and marine life, keep up the good work
MARVELLOUS DOC. VERY BEAUTIFUL VIDEO !
Thank you so much for watching!
What an amazing series, hopefully there will be some inspired by this documentary to lend a hand to ensure that this way of life can continue with the passion and dedication your parents have installed into their work and way of life
Thanks so much Brett! We really hope someone will be inspired enough to take over someday and start their own chapter in this incredible place. Take care
@@hamishauskerry I’m Edinbugh based and keen to see more of the northern islands. What is the best way to get to Auskerry, is there a ferry ? Can I take a car on ? Is there somewhere to stay, airb&b, camping ?
@@BeeBop031 I’m afraid no is the answer to most of those questions Brett! It’s just my parents who live there in the only house on the island! You can visit the rest of Orkney by ferry and take your car though for sure and there’s so much to see here! My parents are keen to welcome people for a few weeks or more for working holidays though in the summer months but you’d be staying in our house while you’re there or camping. Hope that helps!
They remind me a lot of my Shetlands which I raise in the mountains of North Carolina
Ah that’s very cool! I should come to your farm to make a video 😀 Thanks for watching
Ooooo, I’ve just found your channel and I’m thrilled to see your beautiful sheep, rugs and died / undies wool. And the sunshine and the sunset shots were fabulous. Looking forward to getting back to some spinning, weaving and knitting and perhaps even trying my hand at dyeing wool. You’ve totally inspired me. Maybe I’ll even get back to being a member of the localSpinners & Weavers Guild. I pulled out when Covid hit, so this is exciting. Yours in Gratitude
Ah this is so lovely to read Wendy! It’s a lovely creative outlet for my mum so I’m sure you’d enjoy it again if you go back to the local guild. Sending best wishes to you! Thanks for watching
Thankyou for sharing , beautiful.
Thanks for watching Nancy!
Hamish, I'm amazed by the hard work and dedication of your parents to this way of life. You must be very proud of them. You know, island life can be tough but I suppose there are also other daily challenges that people have to face. Again , well done to your parents and also to you on highlighting their lifestyle.
Thank you Michael - this is really thoughtful and kind. My parents are just incredible - I don’t know how they’ve kept it all going so long with all the challenges. I’m so glad they have! Thanks for watching - sorry for my slow reply!
Hello from Los Angeles California😎 i just stumbled upon this vlog and WOW !! I am amazed at this whole life style and being so successful while living so remotely ...and the old pics of mom and dad so young and beautiful and now dad nods off ..it touched my heart and educated me at the same time ...thank you for sharing 😊
Thanks so much Dana! How brilliant you’ve found the videos. So much has changed on the island in 50 years but its essential beauty remains. Thanks for watching!
So very interesting and what lovely yarn!
Thankyou! You can see the final product at isleofauskerry.com :)
Amazing!!! Thank you.
Thanks Linda!
I love how you are helping them complete their life's work. You were added to their journey after they embarked on it,and you will continue it after they're gone no doubt...but to be intricately involved this way as the road narrows.....just ..awestruck at the fortitude by All❤
Ah this is so thoughtful and lovely ❤️ Thank you so much for watching and sharing in our passion! Take care
A further comment -- bought a few fleeces from Teresa for Christmas presents and they've just arrived. Simply magnificent in colour, texture, history and usefulness. I'm so delighted, and so will the recipients be. What a tragedy if this ceases to be possible. But I do understand the difficulty of this amazing lifestyle.
Ah that’s lovely to hear! Thanks so much for your support ❤️
I am interested in the traditional fisherman sweaters from the countries around the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Dutch fishermen prob. came in contact with these sweaters on the Shetland Islands. Every Dutch fisher village hat it's own design so you knew where the man came from when you saw his corpse on the beach. The golden earring was for a sailor's burial payment.
Yeah there’s a beautiful history in that! Thanks for watching 👍
great please continue this profession for next generations.
Thank you 🙏
Beautiful film, amazing work
Thanks mate ❤️
Fantastic, I can't wait to see the other episodes about them, your parents are a rare breed as well, the world needs more like them.
Ah that’s very kind - thanks for watching!
No Agronomy degree,no MBA just God given talent..Just how God intended it to be.
😃 thank you!!
Beautiful skins. Nice colours. I once tried to do that. We had a texel lamb at home which I brought up with the bottle and it was tame like a dog. One day it got typhus and died. My dad skinned it cuz I wanted a rememberance. So I cleaned that skin and dried it. But I couldn't get the stifness out of the leather. Anyways it has been laying in my bedroom at my bed for years. Very nice feeling stepping out of your bed in winter. That sheep was called 'Tisjke'
That’s brilliant! Well played for giving it a go. It’s very hard to do without the right chemicals and then it needs patience and the tools to work the leather to make it smooth. If it’s lasted you all this time on your floor then I’d say it’s a success! Thanks for watching 👍
Beautiful what your parents do but also a very isolated life, no neighbours, no friends...
It’s certainly not for everyone! But actually it’s not a case of no friends - we have such a close connection with the boatmen who get us out there, with the local fishermen and with so many friends on the Orkney mainland who my parents have known for 40 years. Orkney is a special community - even when you live away from everyone!
Lovely living
🙏🙏
We recently found your series of films about your parents. Thank you! It's so interesting and heart-warming. I hope you'll keep us up to date. Have you and your mom considered writing a book about her experiences on the island through the years? Such a memoir would be very interesting!
Best wishes to you from Seattle! Patricia
Thanks Patricia, and sorry for very slow reply! Yes mum is writing a book and we can’t wait for her to finish it and get it published! Thanks for watching - I hope you enjoy the new video!
Thank you, Hamish! Happy New Year to you and your family.@@hamishauskerry
What a lovely video to pop up on my feed. I'm currently learning about my Scottish heritage and I am an avid knitter and spent my whole life in a coastal city. Thank you for sharing :)
Ah that’s very cool you found this! My mum sells our yarn on isleofauskerry.com if you ever need more! Thanks for watching :)
wonderful you documented your parents life!!! I just finished a grey dress/tunica from one of your mum's scorched fleeces...very happy with it. Spun it straight from the fleece as it came, never got the slightest reason to think I need to wash it :) Thank you, I really enjoy to be able to see how its all done and witness life's challenges on Auskerry. I wished I was younger...I would certainly try and join at least for one season ;-)
Ah that’s brilliant to hear! I’ll tell my mum you love enjoyed the fleece. Maybe I even sheared it 😃
there’s always still time! Take care - thanks for watching ☺️
Without a doubt true artists and keepers of this wild breed. I love that there is no recipe for the dyes but always a new eye with experimentation and the joy of new and welcome colors… things that true artists always keeps them going and always encourages them to want to create more… this was a lovely glimpse into this unique creative process … the sheep are so beautiful…and offer so much to our lives… blessings wished for continued joy❤️😇
Ah thank you so much Isabella! Mum loves the freedom of the dyeing shed - it really feeds her creativity. Thanks for watching and take care ❤️
Beautiful
Thank you
Loved it!
Thank you!!
Another great video thank you !!
Thank you very much - that's really appreciated :)