More than a century ago people were evicted from rural Scottish communities to make way for sheep, which were considered more profitable. There is now evidence that this trend is being reversed with latest figures showing that Highlands and Islands lost nearly 100,000 sheep annually for 5 years. In context of a total flock of 8 million this may not seem material but farmers are concerned with the long-term trend which may result in a major reduction in high hill sheep farming within 10 years. This trend is aggravated by the average age of sheep farmers-60 years. There is a multiplier affect on the local economy because fewer sheep results is loweer demand for abbattoir services, vets and markets.However, there is some good news in that the increase in cattle numbers compensate for the reduction in sheep.Visit rural Scotland with catswhiskerstours

posted by Nigel Cole @ 5:40 AM