SSPCA plan complex rescue of 'Britain's loneliest sheep' stuck on Brora cliff

The SSPCA have revealed they are planning a complex rescue of “Britain’s loneliest sheep” after the animal has been stuck on a cliff in Brora for over two years.

Jill Turner, from Brora, first encountered the ewe when it bleated out to her at the foot of steep cliffs while she was kayaking along the Moray Firth’s east Highland coast in 2021.

Ms Turner told the Northern Times she attempted to contact a number of organisations about helping the ewe back up the cliffs.

She encountered the animal once again while making the same trip this year – this time the sheep was sporting an overgrown fleece.

A petition for the sheep’s rescue has since been launched, leading to the ewe being nicknamed “Britain’s loneliest sheep”.

The appeal, created to get the attention of animal charities, has gathered nearly 42,000 signatures.

It is unknown at this stage who owns, the sheep, or where it came from, but it is understood a farmer has explored how it could be retrieved from the sea shore.

Jill Turner originally encountered the sheep two years ago. Peter Jolly via Northpix

Complex rescue

The Scottish SPCA have said that they are working to rescue the animal, but stressed that the rescue is “incredibly complex” due to the inaccessibility of the location.

However, they did reveal that the sheep had plenty of available food and water to continue surviving.

A spokesperson said: “At the Scottish SPCA we care about the welfare of all animals and we continue to proactively seek a solution to help the stranded sheep near Brora.

“We appreciate that the welfare of this animal is understandably of public concern and would like to provide reassurance that we are working with various partners and agencies to help rescue this animal.

“This is an incredibly complex rescue due to the inaccessibility of the land by both land and sea and we are working to find a way to help a sheep without compromising the safety of the rescue team and the welfare of the animal.

“Our team are continually monitoring the sheep and can confirm it has ample grazing and water and isn’t in any immediate danger. We do however want to reach the sheep as soon, and as safely, as possible.”

“As we continue to work on a solution we will provide regular updates.”