An evening of meditation with the most sociable sheep in Moray
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SOCIABLE Sheep Meditation is a new way of bringing people closer to nature and de-stressing from their hectic lives – and offering rescued sheep a second chance at life.
Forget counting sheep if you are struggling to switch off at night, being part of the flock is the way to go.
Irene Mackay, the founder of an animal rehoming service, has been rescuing sheep for 20 years; her flock currently stands at 29 woolly members.
Recently, she has decided to expand, and allow members of the public to book in to visit her fleecy friends on the weekends.
Located just before Auldearn Antiques at Newmill, the flock was not difficult to find. Myself and my mum, Mairi, met Irene who was clutching some gingernuts, apparently the sheep’s favourite snacks!
Irene told us: “My first sheep was called Molly. I saw her in a field by herself and I asked the farmer if I could have her. I was told she was blind. I then got a companion for her, Buddy.”
“One sheep lead to another and it has just spiralled!”
We were soon greeted by Fifi the sheep, a Swaledale cross, who eagerly snaffled down the gingernuts.
Fifi was taken in by Irene after her neighbour found her huddled alone under a hedge at just a few days old. Despite Fifi’s tragic start in life, she has been able to live to the fullest with Irene and her other woolly friends.
Irene gives a home to sheep who have encountered adversity or suffer from health issues.
Other flock members include Rhona, a purebred Zwartbles, the oldest member at 15-years-old. Rhona has a rudimentary horn growing out the centre of her head, much like a unicorn!
Then there’s Oscar, the ‘bulldog’ of the sheep world, who is a purebred Texel. He is the youngest member of the gang and has bowed front legs. Irene rescued him as he couldn’t be used for breeding.
Irene said: “I have had friends come out and comment on how relaxing it is being in the field with the sheep so I decided to open it up to let other people enjoy it.”
She added: “Animal therapy is a big thing, there are many health benefits to spending time with animals so why not sheep?”
As the sheep lay on the grass beside us, I realised how dog-like they were.
Especially young Oscar, who kept snuffling into my mum’s dress for attention; his behaviour was not all that different from my cocker spaniel, Misty, at home.
Irene hopes that Sociable Sheep Meditation may alter people’s perceptions about sheep.
“Not many people get to spend proper time with sheep and get to appreciate how individual they are.”
Irene said: "They like treats, they like cuddles, they like attention and when folk get to experience that, then just maybe it might change their minds about what they put on their plates.”
I would encourage people to visit Irene and her flock, to relax with a change of routine, and spending time with these lovely sheep in a field is a unique way to do this.
Irene doesn't charge folk to spend time with the sheep – she doesn't want to fleece anyone – but she gratefully accepts donations to help with their upkeep.
And the message from the sheep is: "We'll see 'ewe' soon."
You can find out more about Irene and her sheep here.
