Our Working Farm on Rousay: Sheep, Wool & Sea Views

What is it like staying on the farm?

You stay in your own self-catering cottage on a working sheep farm, with sea views and the changing landscape around you. Our flock includes several breeds, and wool is part of the farm’s story. We do not offer organised farm tours or animal-feeding activities.

Our sheep breeds

Our flock includes Shetland, Shetland–Cheviot crosses, Boreray, Icelandic, Hebridean and Herdwick sheep. They have very different fleeces, with a lovely range of natural colours. You can read more about the breeds on our Island Farm Shop farm page.

The farm photos on this website are our own. Our SheepUnique Instagram shares more of the flock and everyday farm life.

Brown, black, grey and cream sheep in a sunny field, with farm buildings and sea beyond — Some of our flock, with the fields and sea beyond.

Sheep and lambs

Cream-coloured ewe lowering her head towards a black lamb in a grassy field — A ewe and lamb out in the field.

Brown-and-white ewe standing with two dark lambs, one with white lower legs — Two lambs staying close to a ewe.

Brown-and-white ewe facing the camera with lambs beside her and farm buildings beyond — Ewe and lambs below the farm buildings.

Sheep grazing in green fields beside a loch, with the sea and hills beyond — Sheep grazing, with the loch and sea beyond.

Finding a use for the wool

SheepUnique grew from wanting to make useful things from wool. Our work includes home and garden products using fleeces from our own flock and other trusted Scottish farms. You can see some of the natural fleece colours in our photographs.

Our SheepUnique story and the Scottish Island Farm Shop share more about our wool businesses. We don’t offer workshops, demonstrations or in-person shopping visits with a cottage stay.

Brown, grey and black wool draped over a farm gate, with the coast beyond — Natural fleece colours against the fields and sea.

Caring for the land around us

We plant wildflowers for native bumblebees and protect areas of heather and peatland on the farm. That work goes on alongside looking after the sheep.

Low sunlight over sheep in green fields on Rousay, with the loch and sea beyond — Light over the farm, loch and sea.

One well-behaved dog is welcome in each cottage, on a lead around the farm; neither cottage has an enclosed outdoor space. A dog cleaning fee applies.

Staying on the farm

The cottages are comfortable places to stay while you explore Rousay. The farm is where we work, so its everyday sounds and activity are part of staying here.

A red tractor and green baler in a field of cut grass on Rousay, with farm buildings and hills beyond — Baling silage on the farm.

The Cottage is newly renovated, simple, cosy and practical. It sleeps up to 2 adults and 2 children aged 14 or under, with a king-size main bedroom and a bunk room for the children. The Farmhouse was converted from the farm’s tractor shed years ago. It is cosy, comfortable and very spacious, with a king-size main bedroom and a twin room. It sleeps up to four guests. Both properties have parking and a beach less than a mile away.

There’s plenty to do outside, and room for a book or a project at home too. Our retreat guide has more about spending time here, and the island guide introduces the archaeology and coast beyond the farm.

A few more questions

Can we book a farm tour or feed the sheep?

No. We don’t offer farm tours or animal-feeding experiences. You’ll be staying on the farm, where we carry on with our everyday work.

Are both properties on the farm?

Yes, both are here on our farm and both have sea views.

Find out more

From Stay Rousay. Practical information checked 16 September 2026. The links go to the operators and local organisations for the latest details.