A healthy set of triplets can be something of a rarity on hill farms, but quads and quintets are much more unique especially on a croft, where young Zwartbles breeders, Liam (19) and Ryan (18) Sharp, have just seen their first quins born.

The brothers established the small Paddock flock on their grandfather Billy Johnston's croft at Gorthleck, 700ft above sea level just south of Loch Ness, in 2016. They chose Zwartbles, having been impressed by breed's good maternal instincts, milk and style at agricultural shows.

Since then Liam, who now works at Garthbeg, Corriegarth Estate for Henry Fraser, and Ryan, who is employed by John and Kenny Matheson of Milton of Aberardour, have achieved several champion and reserve honours titles with their sheep at Dornoch, Black Isle, Keith, Nairn and Grantown Shows, whilst also competing at the Highland and the Scottish National.

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The ewe that carried the five lambs was Hayberries Foxfire, bought as an in-lamb gimmer carrying triplets after standing reserve champion at a breed sale at Carlisle, for 1000gns from Peter and Susan Addison

Scanned for three this year, she gave birth earlier this year to five live lambs to Johnny Cash, a ram lamb bought last year from Stuart Craig, at the breed sale at Carlisle for 2600gns after standing pre-sale champion.

All remain fit and well and while two have been adopted by other ewes, the remaining three are still running with Foxfire with the aim to twin on another as soon as possible.