Icelandic nature can sometimes be really harsh
The sheep have to survive in the wilderness of the Icelandic highlands. Sometimes it happens that sheep injure themselves. But Icelandic sheep are true survivors. Like this little ram, which was gathered two years ago in Kolgrafjörður (a fjord on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula).
He probably fell down a cliff and cut his face in two halves on some sharp stones. But he is a fighter. He pushed himself back into life. A few weeks or months later, farmers herded him in the Réttir in Kolgrafjörður. And they wondered how this fascinating little ram had managed to survive all that. The freedom that Icelandic sheep enjoy in the highlands also comes with a dangerous lifestyle. But Icelandic sheep are true masters of survival. Like the little ram, they defy wind and weather, overcome injuries, and live wild and free during the summer in Icelandic nature.
What makes Icelandic Lamb meat so special
We will never know the whole story of the ram in the picture. We can only guess what happened to him, what adventures he faced and in what weather he managed to survive. But that is also what makes Icelandic lamb meat so special. Each piece of meat holds a story, a piece of Iceland itself. That is why we should all appreciate being able to taste this piece of Iceland and wilderness, and always be aware of the story behind the meat. Icelandic lamb meat is truly sustainable in this way, and you can be sure that the animal you are eating had a good life, a harsh life, yes, but a life in freedom, not in a small box where it never sees the sun. The lambs spend the whole summer with their mothers and other sheep and lambs, roaming free, and are only gathered in autumn.
If you are interested in more stories about Icelandic sheep, have a look at our other blog posts or follow us on Instagram and Facebook, where photographers try to capture the lives of these sheep on camera.