una

On a bitterly cold winter day, we received a call from a kind-hearted stranger who had spotted a tiny newborn lamb, her cries echoing through the frozen air. She stood alone, searching desperately for her mother, but no one came. The observer watched for hours, hoping her herd would return, but as the temperature dropped, it became clear—this little one had been orphaned. Without warmth or food, she wouldn’t survive the night.

Rushing to her aid, they brought her to us—fragile, shivering, and only hours old. We wrapped her in blankets and began bottle-feeding her right away. She was so small, so delicate, yet there was a quiet strength in her. We named her Una, after the queen of the fairies, a name as rare and magical as she was.

It wasn’t long before we discovered just how special she truly was—Una is a Soay sheep, one of the oldest and rarest breeds in the world. With her petite frame, wild eyes, and sleek coat, she looked more like a creature from folklore—a mix of deer, goat, and something otherworldly.

From the very start, Una had a constant companion—Paisley, another orphaned lamb who arrived around the same time. Though Paisley quickly outgrew her in size, their bond only grew stronger. Together, they raced across the sanctuary, nibbled on tree branches (sometimes a little too enthusiastically), and turned the world into their playground. Una, always the adventurer, loved launching herself off tree stumps, soaring through the air as if she truly had wings.

Today, Una has grown into a stunning, graceful sheep. Though she remains a little shy, she still seeks out affection on her own terms, leaning in for gentle scritches when the moment is right. She and Paisley are still inseparable, a testament to the deep friendships that form here at the sanctuary—proof that love, once given, never fades.