A visit - and visitors.

Early in the week the sun was shining and the boys were enjoying their grass.  This is Fergus, looking well fleeced up and also pretty wet after earlier rain.

On Wednesday we went to visit friend John MacKenzie on his farm above Dingwall in Ross-Shire. John has a variety of animals including three alpaca boys, Valais Black Nose sheep, Belted Galloway cattle and Highland cattle.  This is one of his boys, William, with one of the lovely Black Nose sheep behind and under cover during a day of horizontal sleet and snow - again! We've mentioned John before on this blog as he is responsible for a quite unique business, the Glenwyvis Distillery (www.glenwyvis.com) which is owned by community shareholders who raised the funds required.  Another unique feature is that all the electricity used on the farm, electric vehicles and the distillery is generated by John via wind, solar or hydro on his land.  The alpacas and other animals wandering around adjoining fields are also a great attraction for visitors.

Large patches of snow still covered some of the boys' paddocks until late in the week.  The daylight is lengthening now so the boys are happy about that - being able to graze until late afternoon. From the left, Faro, Fyta and Fergus.

Fidget and his feed bowl which kept slipping down the slope on the snow - much to his surprise and amusement!

On Friday we had a lovely visit from Alison and Brendan of Seafield Alpacas up in Portmahomack, Ross-shire. The weather was great for a change, no rain or snow and some welcome sunshine.

We've been waiting for better weather so that we could trim the white boys' nails and Alison very kindly volunteered to give us a hand.  Fidget (left) as usual decided that lying down is the best policy to stop humans touching his feet. We persevered though and both boys had the trim.

And finally.............. I think a suitable caption is required for this shot of Fergus looking up at Alison's hat which she knitted from the fleece of Fergus and her boy Gaucho.