The wool produced by the Shetland has always been a valued commodity and the variety of colour as well as its fineness singles it out from that of other breeds.
Eleven main whole colours are recognised, with shades in between including white, moorit (moor red), skiela (brown grey), emsket (bluish grey), mioget (yellowish brown), dark brown and black. It is this variety which was so commercially important to the wool industry of the islands where natural wools were often used undyed - a significant characteristic of the high quality Shetland knitwear and the softly coloured tweeds.
Unfortunately the term “Shetland” is sometimes misused when it is applied to the Shetland Isles rather than the breed of sheep or even to a grade of wool, whatever it’s origin.
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust has just removed the Shetland from its "minority breed" list because it is no longer considered necessary - another success for the Trust.
