Portland Sheep

Legend has it that some ancestors of the Portland sheep swam ashore from the Armada, though this is rather a romantic version of their origin. George III made frequent visits to Weymouth where he is said to have insisted on eating Portland mutton which he treated as a delicacy. The meat was also highly regarded by troops garrisoned in the area. In a recent tasting, Portland meat emerged as a clear winner for its quality and flavour.

Portland Sheep today
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust�s survey in 1974 discovered a total of 86 breeding ewes and three major blood lines. (field/Marsden, Stubbs/Clutton, and Harpur-Crewe). By 1988 almost half of the foundation ewes and about two-thirds of the rams were represented in the year�s lamb crop. In 1990 the Calke Abbey flock was added to the flock book (16 rams and 200 ewes). There are currently over 100 flocks. The lambs are registered by the RBST and the Breed is currently listed by the Trust as being in category 3 (endangered).

The Portland Sheep Breeders Group was formed in 1993 to promote the Breed and provide a forum for discussion and research amongst breeders, the Group currently represents some 90 flocks. A five year programme of research and promotion of Portland sheep is being undertaken by the Group. This programme is being financed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust which may be contacted at
The National Agricultural Centre,
Stoneleigh park,
Warwickshire, CV8 2LG