The iconic symbol of Manx agriculture, the Loaghtan sheep neared extinction in the 1980s with estimates of the surviving population dropping as low as 18.
The species is still listed as endangered in Great Britain due to the low number of registered breeding ewes. On the Isle of Man, though, they are considered as a “rescued” flock, as there are some 3,500 animals alive and well. Their delicious meat is occasionally available direct from us, but more frequently served at two island restaurants, The Forge and The Abbey.
Once on the brink of extinction, the Manx Loaghtan has made a remarkable recovery and remains one of the Isle of Man’s most treasured native breeds.
Recognisable by their unique dark fleece and striking multiple horns, Loaghtans are a living symbol of Manx farming tradition.
Raised on open pastures and natural grazing land, these sheep thrive in the island’s rugged landscape, preserving authentic farming methods.
Prized for its rich, tender meat with a distinctive flavour, Manx Loaghtan is celebrated by local chefs and food lovers alike.
For centuries, the Manx Loaghtan has been woven into the agricultural story of the Isle of Man. More than just a rare breed, it represents resilience, tradition, and a deep connection to the land — preserving a heritage that continues to shape our farming today.
A fact of life on the farm is that you can’t keep all the animals that are born. A flock of sheep will produce boys and girls – but you only need to keep one male for every 50 females. As the flocks grew, this produced a steady supply of high-quality rare breeds meat. We developed a close relationship with the Xiummri family, who own “The Forge” and “The Abbey” restaurants on the island. They serve rare breeds meat to their customers throughout the year.
Truly, one of the best ways to preserve a breed is to create a demand for its meat.
Built in the 1600s but renovated to five-star standards in 2016, The Barn is an iconic Manx stone building set on the slopes of South Barrule.