- Sheep who was stranded on a remote Highland beach gets her fleece sheared for the first time.
After spending two years marooned on a remote Highland beach, she was in need of a bit of pampering.
But now Fiona, dubbed Britain’s loneliest sheep, has undergone a transformative makeover after being sheared for the first time since her dramatic rescue.
Last year animal lovers around the country were left distraught by the plight of the sheep, which had been living in total seclusion on a remote beach, trapped at the foot of a fearsome wall of cliffs.
She was eventually rescued after a team of rescuers abseiled 800ft down to the rocky stretch of shoreline south of Balintore in Easter Ross, which the animal had been forced to call home for at least two years.
Now, eight months after the dramatic rescue mission she has been shorn to the skin.
Fiona when she was stranded on the shoreline in Easter Ross
Britain’s loneliest sheep had a massive heavy fleece when she was rescued
Fiona pictured being sheared by farmer Cammy Wilson
Sheep farmer Cammy Wilson, who led the team, sheared Fiona at her home on Dalscone Farm near Dumfries.
Although she had much of her wool removed when she was rescued to relieve her from its weight, this is the first time electric clippers were used to shave her to the skin.
Last night farmer Ben Best, who looks after her said: ‘The new look completely transforms her and she’s a lot more comfortable, there’s less panting.
‘Fiona has free range round the farm, she doesn’t have any particular pen that she stays in, she just suits herself.
‘She is remarkable and has ben like that from day one, she has taken everything in her stride.
‘For it being her first experience of electric shearing was being done and the clippers were buzzing, you’d she’d make one kick but she was absolutely perfect and behaved impeccably.’
The shearing took place in front of hundreds of onlookers who were excited to watch get her new look.
On the day, everyone watching at the farm was offered a clump of wool to take home as a keepsake.
Mr Best added: ‘That’s one of the main questions I get is “How is Fiona”, she’s so well known, it was such a big story globally. She’s in folklore now!’
Jillian Turner spotted the Fiona in 2021 during a trip from Balintore to Nigg with the East Sutherland Canoe and Kayak Club.
But last October she took the same trip again and noticed the sheep was still trapped on the small area of beach.
Fiona without without her huge fleece
She said at the time that her fleece was ‘huge and touching the ground at the back.’
In November. a five-strong team of daredevils led by Mr Wilson scrambled 800ft down to the rocky stretch of shoreline and – in a nail-biting rescue – managed to haul Fiona up the steep slope, using a winch mounted on a truck parked at the top of the cliff, 650ft of rope, and a feed bag fashioned into a makeshift sling.
Waiting veterinary inspectors confirmed that the sheep was in good physical condition after the dramatic rescue.
Fiona was later given a long-overdue trim and rehoused at Dalscone Farm animal park.
The rescue party decided to name the sheep after Princess Fiona, who was played by American star Cameron Diaz in the Shrek films.