Native wool
A Yarn from North Ronaldsay Ltd operates from the former engine room at the North Ronaldsay Lighthouse complex, soon to be relocated to the new Trebb complex beside the airport.
Established in 1996, the company processes and promotes fibre from the island’s unique seaweed-eating sheep.
The mill produces a range of high-quality natural yarns, batts, rovings and felt. The sheep’s natural fleece colours range from white through shades of grey and brown to black, and these can be blended to create variegated yarns.
North Ronaldsay sheep have a double-coated fleece, so clipping takes place when the lith – the natural gap between the old and new fleece – begins to rise. Much of the clipping is still done by hand. During processing, the wool and hair fibres are separated to create the finished products.
Tours
Tours of the wool mill can be arranged on request, where possible. Times are usually chosen on the day to suit those interested, and tours take place when the machines are switched off.
The tour follows the process from selecting the fleece through to finished yarn and felt, depending on what is being worked on at the time.
Tours last approximately 20 minutes and cost:
£6 per adult
£3 for children aged 16 and under
For more information or to arrange a tour, contact:
07951 449136
More information about products is available from:
www.northronaldsayyarn.co.uk