The Wool

The wool used for this project comes from two rare and ancient Scottish sheep breeds: Soay and Boreray.

Both breeds are directly linked to St Kilda. Soay sheep have lived on the islands for thousands of years and are considered one of the most primitive domestic sheep breeds in the world. Boreray sheep, now critically rare, developed on St Kilda itself through natural crossbreeding after the introduction of other sheep in the 19th century.

These sheep produce a naturally coloured fleece, ranging from soft creams to browns and greys, often with subtle flecking. Historically, St Kilda tweed was not dyed; its colour came entirely from the natural variation of the wool.

The fleece for this project has been sourced from specialist breeders in Scotland and will be spun to historical specifications at a traditional spinning mill. The intention is to produce a yarn that closely resembles what would have been available to St Kilda weavers a century ago — strong, slightly irregular, and well suited to twill weaving.

By using these breeds, the project maintains a direct material connection to the island and its past.