FARM + FIBRE
Raising sheep, producing wool, from farm to you.
Our wool journey begins with the sheep that produce it.
At Perthshire Wool, we farm a 500-head flock of native and continental breeding ewes and a variety of tups – Beltex, Cheviot, Bluefaced Leicester, Texel and Suffolk – who all call this county home. We also source fleeces from local farmers who specialise in particular breeds here in Perthshire.
Each sheep and each breed is distinct in their character, their relationship to the land, and in the wool that they produce, from the mountain and hill breeds of Scottish Blackface and North Country Cheviot to the lustre of lowland Bluefaced Leicester.
Sheep farming and wool production has deep history in the UK. Today, with over 80% of Scotland's agricultural land in grass, and over 2.5 million breeding ewes in Scotland (Scot Gov 2021 June census), you are certain to see sheep throughout the countryside.
Hedgerows of blackthorn and hawthorn, scrubs of gorse and broom, and a variety of trees all provide our sheep (and a variety of wildlife) with shelter from the wind, rain, sun and snow. As well as being renowned for farmland and farm produce, from meats and oils to honey and soft fruits, Perthshire is know as Big Tree Country, with over 200,000 acres of designated and ancient woodland.
Wool is a very tactile fibre. From handling on the sheep, to shearing, sorting, washing, carding, dyeing, felting, spinning, plying, crocheting, knitting and weaving to wearing and using wool in a variety of contexts. Wool is breathable, recyclable, and 100% compostable, meaning that once its journey above ground has come to a close, it can return to the earth and naturally break down over a couple of months to a few years.
Sheep grow a new fleece each year, with shearing taking place in Perthshire from May to July. Each fleece, on average, can range from 1kg-3kg in raw or 'greasy' weight (i.e. not washed).
Our sheep grow natural white, black and coloured fleeces. Amongst the fleeces harvested each year there are variations in micron (fibre diameter), crimp, softness, resilience, and staple length. These factors help to determine the most suitable use for the fibre, which is sorted after shearing.
Did you know? Wool is not just for the winter months. With its thermo-regulating properties, wool helps to keep you warm when the weather is cold and cool when the weather is hot, making wool a multi-seasonal fibre both on and off the sheep.
WOOL CARE
TIPS FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUR WOOL
To refresh your wool garment, hang outside on a dry breezy day. To wash, spot treat stains or soak in mild water (not hot or cold) with a pH neutral soap. Rinse in fresh mild water. Always air dry flat. Do not hold wool directly under running water as this may cause it to felt and shrink.
Storage is best out of direct sunlight and after air refreshing or washing.
To help protect against moths, package wool with lavender or eucalyptus and check regularly.
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