Very few images of the Lake District are more poignant than of a sole, lone, animal, standing sure footed on slither of grass, half way up an exposed rocky crag, on a grey, cold, winter day. This remarkable animal is of course the humble Herdwick Sheep.
Some believe that the Herdwick originated in the Lake District from the shipwrecked galleons of the Spanish Armada, however, it is known that the word ‘Herdwyck’ meaning ‘sheep pasture’ can be traced back to the 12th century.
Herdwicks are free to roam the central lake district fells, but remarkably remain in their Heaf; the natural home and farm fell land to which the flock returns each year. If this system was to ever collapse (as it was feared during the foot and mouth crisis of 2001) it would mean that a sheep from Borrowdale may quite simply wander into Eskdale requiring a farmer to make a 100 mile round trip by road to collect his stray sheep!
So not only has this hardy little breed survived countless exposed winters on the lake district fells, it has also had to contend with the modernisation of farming, selective breeding, the common agricultural policy, a near attack of the clones (Dolly and co.) and finally foot and mouth disease on its own fells, finally the future is looking a little brighter. With the realisation that we don’t all want to eat meat that has travelled half way around the World, Local quality produce is definitely a better alternative.
The meat a Herdwick produces has a distinct flavour and can be experienced in many traditional and modern dishes in good restaurants and pubs throughout the Lake District.
Herdiburgers are occasionally available at Food at Jiggers restaurant which opened in March 2009 at Castlerigg Hall, Keswick.
Author: Alan (Blando) Bland
