Shearing seaweed-eating sheep on a remote island in Orkney

[@Abby-yc7tt]

I'm having alot of conflict and stress in my life lately and I find your videos so very calming. Thanks for sharing and showing another way of life. It's kinda saving mine right now. ❤❤

[@hamishauskerry]

This is such a special message to read ❤️❤️ thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m sorry to hear life isn’t easy for you at the moment but I’m wishing you all the best and hopefully you have some better luck soon ☺️

[@alexanderalexander7404]

You may have, "paused your career as a tv reporter" (which I am pretty sure came with some reservations). Don't fear. Life is magic. She will offer things to you throughout your life. You may take them up, or not. If not, she moves on, and so do these offerings and opportunities. You have chosen to accept a very rare gift that will give incredible returns throughout the whole rest of your life, although they may appear in different forms and be invisible at first. Relish your time on the island. No-one has forever. None of us ever have, or do. You, and your family, share this with all of the others that have come to call Auskerry home in their own time.

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you for your kind comments ☺️☺️

[@gabischnell3196]

Thanks for sharing your family's life. I'm speechless, your mum is such a strong and wonderful woman.

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you so much, I agree! She will be very touched to read this though (I’ll send her a screengrab!) Take care and thanks for your support ☺️

[@daelhenk7284]

Oh my heavens! What a wonderful new channel for me on youtube. Thank you you for this view of Auskerry.

[@hamishauskerry]

Ah that’s great you’ve found us! Enjoy the series so far :)

[@karenatha7890]

I just found out your videos. Thank you for blessing us around the world with your life, family and beauty of nature. I'm going to watch all of these. What a lesson of peace as well as the need to care.

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you so much for watching and your kind words ☺️

[@Reet64]

These reports have been so lovely to watch. Your mother is an amazing woman.

[@hamishauskerry]

Isn’t she just brilliant! I’m so proud of her ☺️ thanks for watching - sorry I took so long to reply to your lovely comment!

[@6gorks]

Hamish & Faye seem to have the skills and heart to continue. The modern world doesn't quite compare.

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you ☺️☺️

[@lodgekeepe]

Thank you for sharing your family’s life on the island!! Living and embracing their best lives! A beautiful and challenging way of living! ❤️ Blessed Be!

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you so much for watching and your support! ☺️

[@TaraFinlay]

I am really loving this series about your parents and their slice of heaven on earth.

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you! It’s so lovely to see that you’ve enjoyed the episodes ❤️

[@alexanderalexander7404]

"Eveyrbody that has been here wants to see it keep going...".... and it will, as it has always done. And you, and your family will ALWAYS be a part of what Auskerry is..... and was. In return, no matter where each of your end up on your sojourn through life, Auskerry will be a part of each of you and travel with you in your souls.

[@hamishauskerry]

That’s a lovely thing to say, thank you!!

[@mwmingram]

Amazing to see. Very nicely made video. The sheep are so peaceful!

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you so much! They are very characterful sheep, and it’s great seeing them on the low tide where they look so at home. Thanks for watching!

[@Mona_._]

I am very impressed with your reports from the Island. I am grateful to Mary because I watch them thanks to her. I wish health and dreams come true for all your family.

[@hamishauskerry]

Thanks so much Mona! I’m delighted Mary has shown you the videos - hopefully it gives her a nice bit of escapism! Sending best wishes to you too.

[@eckosters]

This was the 3d video I watched. Your mom is a force of nature! My husband and I too moved to a really special place, a small town in Nova Scotia, 21 years ago. I mean, it's incomparable to living on Auskerry of course, but it's a very different life from what we ever had before. And I know we've lived in this unique house on this unique property longer than we will live here and we just cherish every day - nobody can take that away from us. Be grateful every day, work to make the world more beautiful, that's about all you can do.

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you - that’s so lovely. Take care :)

[@grahampritchard5284]

Thank you Hamish, this is an excellent record of a families way of life, and of your parents hard work. I am hooked 👍

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you Graham! I just wanted to make sure the record of the way of life I've grown up with doesn't get lost with time. It's been lovely to share that with others! Thanks for watching

[@tassiegirl1991]

What a wonderful life your family have had, yes when we choose to live in such an isolated area one day we need to decamp and make a new life elsewhere. Your mum is right it happens to us all be it downsizing or relocating, but memories will always be with us if we are lucky.

[@hamishauskerry]

So true! ❤️

[@snodrog5]

Thank you Hamish, for bringing us with you on this journey.

[@hamishauskerry]

Thanks for your early support John! I hope you've enjoyed the series so far :)

[@jmo4521]

Hamish, tell us you and Faye will take on the island life and grow a family there!!

[@hamishauskerry]

In many ways I would love to! But I have my own career that requires living on the mainland for now - you never know what the future may bring though :) thanks for watching!

[@alexanderalexander7404]

The gillimot has a lovely morsel for the babies to start their day with. How scrumptous. A breakfast for the mighty. Better them than I.

[@hamishauskerry]

They’re wonderful wee creatures

[@That_ole_Dodge]

The KZbin mysterious algorithm brought this video series to me today. Simply stunning way to live

[@hamishauskerry]

It’s cool how people around the world have found my videos! Thanks for watching :)

[@balljointfd3s]

I've watched literally every video you've put out on this island. Thank you so much for this, it truly is a different but very beautiful way of life.

[@hamishauskerry]

That’s so kind, thank you so much for your support! There’s more to come ☺️

[@mywoolmitten]

Absolutely incredible, thank you again for sharing!

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you!! ☺️

[@kimglover6968]

What a life well lived. Im new to your channel and I love it. I just had surgery yesterday so I'm going to binge watch all of them. My great great great grandfather immigrated from Scotland to America. Ive always wanted to go to Scotland.

[@hamishauskerry]

Ah thanks Kim! I hope you’re on the mend and have a good recovery. That’s so lovely that you’re going to watching the rest of the series! I hope you get your trip to Scotland one day 🙏 take care!

[@christinedrylie8017]

I used to lived in orkney and I enjoyed living up there

[@hamishauskerry]

It’s a beautiful place!

[@alexanderalexander7404]

The lichen mossy whale bones and spine are spectacular. As are your families stone fences, which are so like the walls of Brough of Deerness as to be built by the same hands, although they were no doubt built by your mother's and father's. One day, a thousand years from now, there will be those that come to the island and wonder who built those amazing stone walls.

[@hamishauskerry]

The stone walls at the lighthouse end of the island were actually built by the lighthouse keepers and their families a long time ago! They are incredible though I agree. All the stone dykes at the house end of the island were built by my mum though. She did a course as a young something in dry stone dyking and it did her well!

[@Mrs.TJTaylor]

I thought you were shearing seaweed and eating sheep and I saw those cute little faces and just didn’t want to see that at all!

[@hamishauskerry]

😃 that would be a very different kind of video!! Thanks for watching

[@beverlyethridge5084]

I love the long wool of the sheep.

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you Beverly! They're wonderful creatures :)

[@SoNoFTheMoSt]

5000 years? wow thats so awesome!

[@hamishauskerry]

Yes! Next year I want to do a video about all the older history of the island if I can. We've had local archaeologists out here in the past for a just-for-fun trip out and they've told us about all sorts of neolithic remains on the island and everything since. Thanks for watching!

[@SoNoFTheMoSt]

@@hamishauskerry I would 100% watch that video :) sounds really interesting, is there much evidence of walers on the island?

[@hamishauskerry]

@@SoNoFTheMoSt There was once a blue whale washed up about 100 ish years ago I think and dozens of people came from a neighbouring island to melt down the blubber for oil. It would have been a major event! No whaling as an industry round here though I don’t think - further south off mainland Scotland though for sure.

[@bartsexton1652]

Hamish , what a life your parents have lived doing what they love so much. Wish they could live as old as Moses did and be able to continue to do what they love . If it didn’t cost so much for shipping I would love to have enough wool to make a sweater but I’m here in the states. Do your parents own the island. Hope someone young would come alone and take over where they left off when they rich the age of no can do no more . So glad I saw this on KZbin. Never new they could use pet for burning. Where I was raised in North Carolina USA they had pet but I don’t ever remember them mining it unless it was for planting soil .

[@hamishauskerry]

Thanks for watching Bart and for your kind comment! How brilliant that KZbin has connected our wee farm with the world. Peat is a brilliant fuel! It’s used around parts of Scotland and Ireland but less and less now because there are much greener alternatives in most places (not in Auskerry though!). My parents do international shipping so if you email my mum through isleofauskerry.com you should be able to make that sweater! Take care

[@alexanderalexander7404]

"When I was told it was Friday that was a delight because I love Friday and Saturday." Ah yes..... the delicious days in retirement when one can let go of the frenzy of life and just live in the endless and forever Friday evenings that never end, turn to glorious Saturdays, and then remind themselves in the dark to become forever Fridays again the next day.

[@hamishauskerry]

I don’t think dad knows what retirement is yet! 😂 I’m not sure where his claim to love weekends come from really because on Auskerry all days of the week are equal when it comes to working- and the radio is usually a lot worse at the weekend!!

[@carolegreen6942]

A lovely watch H. Keep’em coming.

[@hamishauskerry]

Ah thanks so much Car! X

[@maggiebock6715]

Memories of our sheep farm came flooding back watching this. I miss the farming life but like your parents ,old age takes its toll.

[@hamishauskerry]

It does, Maggie - even when I bet my parents never imagined getting old when they started life here. Thanks for watching - take care ❤️

[@yviegeorge2748]

Oh my I grew up on a 50 acre farm and learned to shear the sheep but not by hand! I’ve been amazed at everything so far Hamish but HAND CLIPPING, the whole flick 🎉tops it all…

[@hamishauskerry]

❤️❤️ thanks so much Yvie!! By hand is definitely the best… 😀

[@ThePhobicFlyer]

Fantastic Hamish. Great style, content, production quality and what a lovely close family you have.

[@hamishauskerry]

Thankyou! I’ve learned a lot technically with making this series both filming and editing

[@SarahHamilton-m5d]

Wonderful again, Hamish ❤

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you very much for your support!

[@jacquelinefilby1842]

Love your series

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you so much Jacqueline! ☺️

[@suzmaca650]

Such hard work…

[@hamishauskerry]

But very satisfying! Thanks for watching ☺️

[@wendyh3891]

I'm really enjoying these videos. Thank you from me in South Africa 🇿🇦

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you Wendy!! ☺️

[@birdie6844]

Just fabulous, makes me want to be there. Love to you all xxxx

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you so much for your support! xx

[@Finchy3732]

Quit you’re job you’ve got a real talent here some of the best reporting and farm videos I’ve watched 👍

[@hamishauskerry]

Ah that’s so kind, thanks mate! I’m not quite at the level to quit paid employment for KZbin but you never know! Thanks for watching 👍

[@Finchy3732]

@@hamishauskerry I hope to see you doing more of these videos. You should find more farms to report on and do a series on. I think you’re voice and editing is unique keep going

[@stuartjudd6630]

Have just found this series, a little late to the party….a gem!

[@Zakarum420]

What a lovely way of life

[@hamishauskerry]

Thanks Simon! We’re very lucky ☺️

[@alicetulloch6945]

Thank you for the lovely reminder. Our family once lived at Crewesbreck House on North Ron, but left in the 1850s.

[@hamishauskerry]

Ah wow! I bet they had some stories to tell. Thanks for watching!

[@131maymay131]

Love your mother’s perspective. ❤

[@hamishauskerry]

She’s an inspiration! Thanks for watching Eleanor! ☺️

[@cherylcarlson3315]

So glad for documentary, so sad they can't stay in their home,sadder still it doesn't sound like it will stay in the family. Love learning how to clip the sheep and they are small enough even I could wrangle them. Guess the rocks trim feet well.Hatedconstant foot care of the dairy goats years ago on grass. Love idea of seaweed feed. Love the peek into another life

[@hamishauskerry]

Ah thanks Cheryl! Walking over the beach and rocks is fantastic for their feet - we never have any need to trim feet which is a blessing. The sheep are small but quite wriggly! 😃 Thanks for watching

[@pjg_77]

That is one hard job !! Just come across your channel & subbed. Be nice to know more about the past of your parents, and why your dad moved there

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you for watching and subscribing! There’s a bit more about the past and my parents in the latest video in this series - and I’m sure I’ll touch on it more as I go 👍

[@davydacounsellor]

Another great vid, awesome life experience, there's toppers you can tow behind the quad, good for cutting thistles and rushes as well. I must say, love the family island.

[@hamishauskerry]

Thanks Davy! We’ve done things the hard/old fashioned way a long time - it’s hard to change! Thanks for watching

[@TealCheetah]

The strap looks like a great idea for shearing

[@hamishauskerry]

It’s very effective!

[@baldwinleatherworks]

I just stumbled upon your channel while I was looking for ethically raised wool. I love how you’re helping your parents. Thats how families were long ago, but unfortunately nowadays, too few have that sense of family. Let me get some point, I’d very much like to know if your parents’ wool is available for sale on line, or an Etsy shop? I love the natural gray color of the wool and have never seen wool like this. I would like to buy some for my mother to knitt.

[@hamishauskerry]

Hello! Ah how brilliant that you found us! Orkney as a whole is a great community for pulling together when it’s needed. And yes, you can find all of their products at isleofauskerry.com! Thanks for watching :)

[@baldwinleatherworks]

@@hamishauskerry thank you so much for the information. I hope you and your family have a very merry Christmas.

[@hamishauskerry]

@@baldwinleatherworks and yours! Take care

[@The_Apollo_Show]

So glad to see this ! I also avoid wool because of cruelty so looking forward to taking a look at your shop

[@glendahughes6797]

I hope you find a creative solution to preserving this wonderful natureland. You are extraordinary💚🤔🐏🐳🕊️

[@hamishauskerry]

Thanks so much for watching Glenda! That’s so kind ❤️

[@hamishauskerry]

Thanks so much for watching Glenda! That’s so kind ❤️

[@marysemazeres1430]

thank you for thoses reports , I love wool, I dropspin local wool, here, south west france. I love nature, all those animals you show us.

[@hamishauskerry]

That is awesome, et salut! We sell fleeces if you ever want to spin with the wool you’ve seen in my videos - isleofauskerry.com :) take care and thanks for watching in France!

[@alexanderalexander7404]

I can just see Auskerry island from the cliffside of the Brough of Deerness.

[@hamishauskerry]

Oh brilliant! I’ll wave at you next time I’m home

[@lydiab5200]

Awesome! Your parents are amazing people. I see a book in the future ???? Would love to know what made them choose Auskerry and this lifestyle, and what it was like growing up on such a remote island. Beautiful photography.

[@hamishauskerry]

Thanks so much for watching! Thankfully my mum has been writing a book about the early years and is nearly done the first draft. I can’t wait to read about what life was like before I was born! Take care

[@deborahswanberg6144]

Awesome video

[@hamishauskerry]

Thanks Deborah! More to come ☺️

[@veronicabalfourpaul2288]

I love those pretty sheep. I'm a spinner and would love to have a fleece. Are they sold as fleece? I'm enjoying these videos.

[@hamishauskerry]

Thanks Veronica! If you contact my mum through isleofauskerry.com then we can keep you a fleece from next summer’s clip👌

[@johnkreider3860]

❤

[@hamishauskerry]

Thanks for watching John!

[@بدوربدور-ظ8ن]

فيديو اكثر من جمييييل حياةرائعة وطبيعة

[@hamishauskerry]

Thanks for watching!

[@alexanderalexander7404]

"Nothing can go on forever." So true, but this does not mean there is not a sweet sorrow at seeing the end of an age. It wouldn't matter where you were, finality would always be there too.

[@hamishauskerry]

🙏❤️

[@headswillroll89]

Hi hamish, I've hit you up on a few different socials. I haven't watched the rest of your series yet, I know I might be late to the party. Hope you get back to me

[@hamishauskerry]

Hello! Ah my socials are mostly on private - you can email me though if you like: [e-mail] thanks

[@alexanderalexander7404]

Hand-shearing 100+ sheep certainly would necessitate the torso sling to take the pressure off the back. One does not want to spend the night on pain killers and muscle relaxants.

[@hamishauskerry]

Mum used to need painkillers all day in the past until we built that sling. It’s been amazing for her!

[@ronaldlucas5360]

Nice

[@hamishauskerry]

Thanks for watching!

[@charlotterobertson6265]

More about your parents, their history, and family life when you were growing up please

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you Charlotte! The latest video has a bit more about my parents and family life if you haven't seen it yet - but I will do more! Thank you for watching :)

[@annayoder4332]

fudge that, id be packing up my husband and children and id be moving to that island taking care of mom and dad and the farm myself with my family.

[@hamishauskerry]

When can you start? 😀

[@annayoder4332]

@@hamishauskerry i would if i could ! however we run our own farm ! amish mennonite here !

[@craig221]

excellent

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you!!

[@isabelladavis1363]

Such incredibly soft look fleece is it available for purchase where is it sold and is it available for purchase please tell❤ me

[@hamishauskerry]

Thanks for watching! Yes it is - their website is isleofauskerry.com :)

[@outdoorsandmuchmore]

You better forget about becoming the next Pulitzer big shot reporter find a partner disposed to forget becoming some corporation big shot and keep that legacy. I bet you after this series and little more time you are to become more fulfilled than winning whatever awards.

[@hamishauskerry]

Cheers Jorge 😆

[@rashidsukhera8674]

Hello. What an amazing video and the island. How can I pay the visit to this Island and have an experience of once in a life time. Please do answer

[@hamishauskerry]

Thank you for watching! You can find lots more information and contact details at isleofauskerry.com

[@rashidsukhera8674]

@@hamishauskerry 🙏❤️

[@shams-dubaioffsetprintingp3135]

whats is those carvings seen in the island from the sky , is it natural or manmade, i just noticed it in the google map

[@hamishauskerry]

They are very old peat hags, cut by people from neighbouring islands before my parents came here. Thanks for watching!

[@thepickledpixie9052]

Does your mum crochet or knit with the wool? I expect so, but if not I would love to crochet something for them with the wool she's sheared and dyed.

[@hamishauskerry]

Hello! Well my mum sells knitting and crochet kits on her website isleofauskerry.com, as well as the wool on its own - so hopefully you can find something you like on there! Just a heads up though, orders may take a little longer to fulfil at the moment due to family illness. Thanks for your interest!

[@maristermcsorley4203]

So sad if they have to move 😢❤️

[@hamishauskerry]

🙏

[@alexanderalexander7404]

The lost croquet hoops will become ancient treasures to be discovered a thousand years from now. They will wonder what they were for........ huge staples to staple things to the sides of a wooden wall? (smile)

[@hamishauskerry]

Haha now thats a thought isn’t it!! Maybe someone will make a KZbin video about the discovery of one 😀

[@rebeccadees]

Where is the wool sold? I live in the USA so I’m curious as to how I could purchase some?

[@hamishauskerry]

Thanks so much for watching Rebecca! You can see their products at isleofauskerry.com They do international shipping!

[@rebeccadees]

Thank you for sharing this information! My prayers for your parents and your family. I pray that someone will come along and follow in their footsteps and continue the care of this rare breed like they have.

[@hamishauskerry]

@@rebeccadees We all wish for that too. Thankyou Rebecca - take care

[@rebeccadees]

I tried to place an order but I couldn’t. The message said to contact via email regarding shipping outside your country so I sent an email.

[@hamishauskerry]

@@rebeccadees ah ok - I’ll tell mum to keep an eye out for the email!

[@antoniescargo1529]

What is the size of the island? We use hektares, square kilometers.

[@hamishauskerry]

Hello - the island is 250 acres, so just over 100 hectares. It’s only three quarters of a mile long! Thanks for watching :)

[@ChasingAThread]

@TheSheepGame needs to come help next year!

[@hamishauskerry]

It would be cool to collaborate! Thanks for watching! :)

[@roddiee]

What scissors does your ma use?

[@hamishauskerry]

Hello! They’re proper hand shears - not sure of the brand though sorry! I think they’re Japanese though for some reason. Thanks for watching!

[@alexanderalexander7404]

Ahaaaaaa So you have peat on the island. Now I know where your fires, and the fires of the past came from.

[@hamishauskerry]

Yes! It unlocks some of the secrets ☺️

[@sfrank7799]

Can I still buy some wool goods from you guys?

[@hamishauskerry]

Of course! Just head over to isleofauskerry.com :) thanks for watching!

[@thepushygardener]

Have you ever thought about letting an intern come to help in exchange for learning the trade?

[@hamishauskerry]

We have! We currently have someone on the island helping my mum who discovered the island through KZbin! So that’s cool. And there are other people who have inquired too :) thanks for watching!

[@thepushygardener]

​@@hamishauskerryoh good!

[@funksfunk]

Get some electric clippers. They are not cumbersome. It’s actually the reverse.

[@hamishauskerry]

Honestly we don’t agree but I understand why people use them. We enjoy the calm quietness without the generators and electric shears cut the wool too close to the body and with the climate here I doubt they’d all survive. Thanks for watching!

[@lynnhall864]

🇨🇦👍

[@hamishauskerry]

❤️

[@cawiltu]

You need a donkey or goat to eat the thistles

[@hamishauskerry]

It would be good wouldn’t it? But my parents have their work cut out with 600 sheep to be honest so that would have to be an idea for a future inhabitant of the island I think! Thanks for watching

[@بدوربدور-ظ8ن]

غريبة لا يوجد عندهم جزازة صوف كهربائية المقص متعب للشخص والحيوان

[@hamishauskerry]

Hello! Thanks for watching. Actually we believe the hand shears are much less tiring for the sheep as they are quiet compared to having to run a generator to power electric ones :) and we enjoy the tranquility!

[@alexanderalexander7404]

Sheep shits are merely handicaps to be used, abused, or avoided in the northern game of Olympic Croquet. (smile)

[@hamishauskerry]

Is that a Roman proverb? 😀