Britain's 'loneliest' sheep gives birth to first lambs

The sheep once described as the loneliest in Britain has given birth for the first time.

Fiona hit the headlines in October 2023 when a kayaker spotted her trapped at the foot of a steep cliff at the Cromarty Firth.

A rescue operation followed, before she was taken to a farm park in the south of Scotland.

Dalscone Farm in Dumfries announced her pregnancy earlier this year and now, after more than two years with them, she has given birth to twins - one male and one female, as yet unnamed.

Fiona was given her name following a story about another sheep which was discovered living alone in New Zealand several years ago.

Professional shearer Cammy Wilson - who led the Scottish rescue operation - revealed the New Zealand sheep was named after the animated character Shrek, so its Scottish counterpart had to be named Fiona, after his on-screen wife.

Fiona was not in great condition when she reached Dumfries and was also significantly overweight.

About two years later, the decision was made that she was well enough to give birth.

Dalscone farmer Ben Best said everything had gone relatively smoothly.

"The birth went very well," he told the BBC's Radio Scotland Breakfast programme.

He said it had been "challenging at times" but that the lambs had been delivered naturally and were "doing fantastic".

Ben said they had not yet decided what the lambs would be called.

"No names yet but we are brainstorming," he said.

"We have a little boy and a little girl so she has got one of each which is kind of perfect.

"There are a lot of suggestions for Shrek's children."

In the movie, Shrek and Fiona have triplets - named Fergus, Farkle and Felicia.

Ben said they had thought long and hard before deciding Fiona could have lambs but the decision was partly down to her failure to interact fully with other sheep.

"It never really happened, if I am being totally honest with you - she never really took 100% to any other sheep," he said.

"She always kept herself to herself and that was one of the main reasons that we put her in lamb.

"We wanted her to have her own little family and we wanted that bond - it was the bond that we were looking for."

He admitted they had been a little worried about how she would react to having her own lambs but they had bonded immediately.

"She took to them straight away and was licking them and just absolutely adored them," he said.

"When you see that bond, and just that love she had for the lambs, it vindicates the decision."

Since her arrival in 2023, the farm has been monitoring Fiona's progress and also sharing regular updates via social media.

Among other things, Fiona has also helped to front a mental health awareness campaign around the issue of loneliness in farming.

Now, however, she has a new role to look forward to.