Britain’s loneliest sheep arrives at Dalscone despite upset campaigners
Fiona is settling into her new home after being stranded for two years
Last updated 6th Nov 2023
An animal hailed ‘Britain’s loneliest sheep’ has arrived at her new home within Dalscone Farm in Dumfries, following an extensive rescue mission.
A group of expert farmers rescued the ewe, known as Fiona, on Saturday morning from a cut off cliff on the coast in the Scottish Highlands where she's thought to have been for two years.
But, the next steps for the lonely ewe have proven contentious.
After hearing of plans to rehome Fiona at the popular Dumfries Farm Park, animal rights activists are worried she’ll become a spectacle.
In response to the decision, members of campaign group Animal Rising formed a protest outside the gates of Dalscone yesterday, and have suggested they’d been planning their own rescue operation for Fiona, but were beaten to it.
Animal Rising supporter, Jamie Moyes, said:
“We are of course pleased Fiona is no longer stranded, but it is completely unacceptable that she would be taken to a ‘petting zoo’ when she has already suffered for the last two years.
“We reached an agreement with the landowner for her to be rescued and taken to a safe and peaceful sanctuary, but he went behind our back to make a spectacle of her instead.
“Petting zoos can be stressful for any animal, but especially for one that has lived alone for the last two years and will likely now be mobbed by daily visitors owing to her celebrity status.
He says an alternative home for Fiona was already planned out
“The right thing to do would be to allow her to live out the rest of her life safely at Tribe Animal Sanctuary, who already agreed to home her.”
Following the backlash, it had been reported that Fiona would be held in an undisclosed location.
But, this morning, it seems the now famous ewe has arrived at Dalscone.
Speaking live on Facebook, Dalscone’s Farmer Ben said:
“Fiona has arrived at her new forever home, and I’m pleased to report she’s been doing phenomenally.
"She’s been eating well, she’s been drinking well, she’s been doing amazing.
“It’s a bit surreal really.”
“We had to make sure everything was under wraps while we got her here and made sure she was safe with minimal fuss.
“She’s settled in great, and she did amazing right through the night.”