Lambing

Lambing is in full swing at the moment, with the fields filling with lively youngsters and contented mums. The weather hasn't been too bad so far this year, though yesterday, when it rained and the temperature dropped, was the sort of day the crofters most dread. One Ormsaigbeg crofter had to bring a pair of twins indoors for the night and lodge them in front of the stove in his kitchen.

The crofters' approach to lambing varies widely. Some leave their flocks on the hills to fend for themselves, with only the occasional check to see how they're getting on. Others have them near the croft house, check them regularly during daytime hours, but only intervene when absolutely necessary. Others bring all their ewes into a byre and watch them both day and night - though one crofter may have eased the process this year by installing CCTV.

But for some mums the long wait isn't yet over. Several of the ewes in this field were lying in the same way, with their heads almost bent back double. It doesn't look very comfortable, but the wait is nearly over: they're due this week.

As The Diary understands it, this hasn't been a bad year for lambing. Let's hope the weather stays fine.