THE BLACKFACED BREED OF SHEEP. 209 



History of the Breed. 



Notwithstauding the inferior quality of the wool, and other 

 defects of this breed in its aboriginal and unimproved condition, 

 its peculiar adaptability to withstand severe climate, and to 

 fatten on the coarsest herbage, commended it to occupiers of 

 large tracts of heath and mountain land ; and to quote Hector 

 Loethius, who wrote about the year 1460, and speaking of the 

 sheep in the vale of Esk, says — " Until the introduction of the 

 Cheviots, the rough-wooUed blackfaced sheep alone were to be 

 found," From this, it would seem that the blackfaced or heath 

 breed of sheep had been the prevailing breed at an early date. 

 After the introduction of the Cheviot and other fine-woolled 

 breeds, it was supplanted by them in many districts, at different 

 periods during its history — a circumstance regulated by the 

 prices of wool — but the race has never been allowed to die 

 out. The germs of its early fame had never been entirely extin- 

 guished, and for many years past they have been gradually 

 regaining strength. It is only within the past century and a 

 half, or litttle more, however, since flockowners began to direct 

 attention to the improvement of the breed, but during that 

 time many defects have been removed. Since the advent of 

 the present century, an enthusiasm has been manifesting itself 

 among sheep farmers to raise the value of their flocks, and a 

 healthy emulation has existed among breeders for upwards of 

 sixty years. 



Their desire to resuscitate the faded popularity of their favourite 

 breed has been vastly encouraged by the Highland and Agricul- 

 tural Society and kindred associations, who at their annual exhibi- 

 tions, give handsome premiums for the best specimens of the 

 breed. It is a matter for regret, however, that the inducements 

 held forth by these associations have not been more generally 

 responded to. Only the small minority of the breeders have 

 apparently become alive to the importance of devoting means 

 and attention to the amelioration of their Hocks. Foremost 

 among the improvers have been the ^fessrs Gillespie of Lanark- 

 shire ; the Messrs Archibald of Overshiels ; ^Ir Charles 

 Howatson of Glenbuck ; and Mr Foyer, Knowehead, Campsie. 

 The (llenbuck stock is perhaps the oldest, having possessed a 

 well-known reputation for upwards of a century. It has always 

 been distinguislied for its superiority of blood and excellence of 

 ty])e. JJefore ]\Ir Howatson became owner, the grazing of 

 Glenbuck was in the hands of the M'Kersies, who took a great 

 interest in rearing sheep, and they acquired for their Hock a 

 name which will long have a familiar ring among breeders of 

 blackfaced sheep. Mr Foyer, Knowehead, is owner of a very 

 old and celebrated stock ; while the Hock of the ^lessrs Archi- 







