About our Mutton
Mey Selections North Ronaldsay Mutton only exists in its true and natural form in Orkney’s Ultima Thule, the Island of North Ronaldsay. The breed descended from a strain brought to the island in prehistoric times, thoughts to be over 5,000 years ago. Over many centuries, the flock has evolved without interference or cross breeding.
The sheep live wild on the rock of the exposed North Atlantic shoreline – in 1832 the Laird of North Ronaldsay decided his pastureland should not be wasted on native sheep, and a dry stone wall (the longest one in the world) was built to keep the sheep on the beach and foreshore. The sheep graze on seaweed, which gives the meat a distinct ‘gamey taste’. It is lean and, because of the seaweed diet, is iodine rich. And it tastes fabulous.
There are about 3,000 sheep on the Island and every season, between October and March, the Islanders take to the foreshore to pund (catch) a small number of 3 - 5 year old sheep. However, this is all dependent on the tide and a full moon! The availability of this unique product is very limited and there around 300 carcasses available per season.
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