The Ponies and Sheep of the Islands and All Around Ordaal House

Friday, October 28, 2016 ~ by Amy

Though we saw Shetland ponies near the ferry terminal, we saw far more sheep than ponies as we drove around the islands. There are thousands of sheep grazing the barren moors, the peat bogs and the dry heather covered hills. There are fences, but also frequent cattle guards and signs for sheep crossings. We were told that prior to our arrival they had had little rain on the islands so much of the land was brown and barren, including vast areas that I came to find out are peat. There were also acres and acres of closely cropped green pastures, all dotted with sheep of many colors. At a glance many seem white but there are a variety of colors and markings.

Colorful Shetland Sheep

Hanging in our bedroom at The Bothy was a framed poster of sheep markings. We ended up studying it instead of sleeping one night, challenging each other on our proficiency with the multiplication tables. According to the Shetland Sheep Society there are eleven whole colours of sheep and more than thirty recognized markings. That's a lot of variety! Here's a copy of that photo that I found online.

Colors and varieties of Shetland Sheep

I've always had a fondness for Shetland ponies. When I was little we had a Shetland/Welsh pony named “Tickles”. He was a spunky thing but I was very fond of him. My mom made me a small stuffed pony with flexible legs attached with buttons and a yarn mane and tail. The fleece fur was much the same color as Tickle's and she even stitched on a star on his forehead like Tickles had. I still keep him in my room fifty years later.

Here's what the official Shetland website has to say about this sturdy breed of ponies, “For at least 4000 years, in comparative isolation, these fascinating small ponies have roamed the exposed hills and moors of Shetland. From the 1840s, Shetland ponies began to be used in British coal mines as new laws forbade the employment of women, girls and, later, boys. Hardy, resilient and very strong for their size, the ponies made ideal substitutes as they were able to pass through low underground tunnels hauling truckloads of coal. At home, Shetland ponies were used as workhorses - cultivating the land and transporting peat from hills - an essential addition to crofting families.

Wild looking island pony

Shetland ponies are foaled in the fields, live in the fields and die in the fields. Ponies graze on hill ground, known locally as common grazing or 'scattald'. The acres of rough heather clad moorland may appear scant subsistence for any animal. However, Shetland ponies have developed good conversion rates for food and high milk yield for their foals. In some parts, where land and sea meet, the ponies can supplement their diet with nutrients from mineral rich seaweed on beaches. There is plenty of open space to roam freely and ponies can seek natural shelter, if need be, behind hillocks, old stone walls or peat banks.” www.shetland.org

After breakfast and several cups of coffee, we bundled up in layers to go for a walk. First though, we wanted to offer our squash peelings and leftover pasta to the resident chickens. Alyssa brought a dishpan full outside. Our hostess, Catriona, told us to just go out and say, “Here chooky, chooky, chooky!”, and they'd come running. So we did. But long before Alyssa could hand the chickens some food, the vicious wind grabbed a pile of squash peels out and blew them across the grass!

Alyssa feeding the chickens

We continued our walk around the Ordaal farmyard and down to the sea. The wind ripped at our clothes and it was almost impossible to stand up straight. Here, the North Sea flows into a channel called the Balta Sound (hence, the very original name for the village, Baltasound).

The sea flowing onto the land

Balta Sound

Sunshine on the sea and windblown grass

These boots I bought from Costco have been indispensable 

Alyssa trying to hang onto her hood

And the sunshine is back, but the windchill was still amazingly cold

Looking back toward the house we could better see how our 300 year old cottage tied in with the main house (which was added on only 200 or so years ago!).

Bench...a perfect place to watch for the Northern Lights or the sea

In the foreground, our 300 year old cottage

Screen porch, our shared entrance to the main house

Continuing our walk, we came across this small stone marker near a fence. No idea what it says or what/who it commemorates.

Stone marker

There are four Shetland ponies pastured adjacent to the farm. As soon as we approached, they came close to nuzzle us and be scratched behind the ears.

Ordaal ponies

Though all mares, a couple of the ponies playfully nipped, kicked and reared up at each other, pawing the air. I doubt they meant any harm but it showed their playful, spunky side.

Dancing ponies

When we could stand the cold wind no longer, we went back to the cottage for a delicious lunch of ham and cheese sandwiches.

Cottage door

Since we planned on exploring the island after lunch, we kept an eye on the rapidly changing weather.

Kitchen window

View out the window of the sun and rain

 As we drove off, the sky opened up and dumped on our car, nearly obliterating the landscape. Knowing it would change, we followed our cutely drawn but rather faulty island map and went to find us some castle ruins.

Map of Unst