Auchenstroan Coloured Ryelands
We are Adrian and Nicole Doyle and this is our web site where we show our life on our small holding and showcase the products that we sell.
*** Exciting news!! The 2024 felted fleece rug making workshop dates are now available for booking!! ***
Auchenstroan Blog
A few years ago we made the decision to stop lambing. Much as we loved having lambs skipping about each spring and doing zoomies around the paddock, we came to the realisation that it just wasn’t financially viable for us. We do miss it from time to time though, lambing with all its highs and […]
As well as the ‘daily hay ceremony‘ which I wrote about a couple of months ago, I thought I would write a few words about another little ceremony which the sheep really enjoy; the daily ‘nut ceremony’. Sheep go absolutely bonkers for their nuts. I should add, these are not actual nuts, ‘sheep nuts’ are […]
Belinda Bibble-Bott (Belinda for short) is one of our big, friendly Orpington hens who came to us as eggs back in the spring of 2022. We’ve seen Belinda and her siblings grow from tiny chicks the size of daisies into enormous hens almost twice the size and weight of our resident flock. Last spring the […]
From the end of October through to the beginning of April (give or take), we move the little darlings onto hay. During the winter, the grass pretty much stops growing and what grass there is isn’t very tasty or nutritious. While many sheep are thrifty and do fine in the leaner winter months, ours […]
Back in the summer we decided it would be nice to plant some more apple trees. Over the last few years we’ve been gradually expanding our orchard. There were already about ten apple trees here when we moved here six years ago. Last winter we added some more, and this year we ordered another ten. […]
You can tell a lot about the health of an animal by what comes out the back end. One of our woolly teddy bears, Witchy, has always produced dung more on the squishy side. It sticks to the wool around her tail and is a magnet for flies. During the summer we give her bottom […]
Every so often it’s time to do some dung shifting here on the smallholding. Despite having a relatively small flock of 19, our woolly lawn mowers produce an impressive amount of manure. During the winter when the grass isn’t very tasty, the teddy bears spend a lot of time in the paddock where we have […]
The last time I wrote in my diary was over a year ago. You can read my last story here. I’ve lived in my new home for a long time now. My new house is far away from where I used to live in Turkey. I live with George and my two humans. I have […]
This is not the the first story about drystane dykes and probably won’t be the last. Most of the ground here is soft and so, over time, the dykes subside. Given a dry stone dyke is essentially two walls leaning against each other, if one side sinks faster than the other, then all those stones […]
This summer’s been a bit funny weatherwise, after a hot and dry May and June (so dry that we ran out of water at one point), the heavens opened and it’s been dreich ever since. One thing is certain though, rain or shine there are always plenty of flies buzzing around. This part of Galloway […]
A couple of weeks ago as I was cleaning out the field shelter, the sheep milling about me ‘helping’, I happened to notice Vi had some discharge around her nose. A clear nasal discharge is usually nothing to worry about, but Vi’s was definitely on the green side. Oh, I immediately thought, Pneumonia? Botfly? An […]
We have a large area for growing veggies; six rectangles of about 2 x 4 metres. We like to grow a mixture of root and leaf crops, tomatoes and herbs. Growing our own is really satisfying and it tastes delicious too. Plus our nearest supermarket is an hour away so it’s nice and convenient. Our […]
Reviews
If you would like to send us a review, please email us your comments or send them via our contact page, many thanks.
Review for felted fleece rug workshop
Posted by Helen Kennefick on 6th August 2023
“Nicole is a truly wonderful teacher; kind, patient and made me feel so welcome. Having never attempted anything like this in the past I was nervous but I had no need. Nicole explained everything step by step demonstrating each part and letting me repeat ensuring my technique was spot on.
By the end of the day I came home well on the way to a stunning rug. The instructions to complete the rug at home were brilliant, I can’t believe I made it. I am delighted!
I must also mention Nicole’s cake is immense and her dogs are so adorable. “
Review for felted fleece rug workshop
Posted by Dawn Phimister on 5th July 2023
“We both really enjoyed your workshop. What a lovely place and such a fantastic host. You made us feel very welcome and went above and beyond my expectations. You were especially kind when I was daft enough to have left our packed lunch behind whipping us up a delicious homemade lunch. I am very thankful for the very well laid out instruction booklet you made for us to guide me in your absence.”
Review for felted fleece rug workshop
Posted by Helen Poremba on 5th July 2023
“I had such a lovely time on Saturday. You have created a fantastic workshop experience. I feel like I did a lot, and learnt a lot, but at the same time I didn’t feel that I was under any time pressure at all. The whole day was so nicely paced. Also, to have that all backed up with thorough written instructions and information is just amazing.”
Review for felted fleece rug workshop
Posted by Judith Gentry on 23rd May 2023
“I thoroughly enjoyed this days learning. The location and facilities are excellent as is Nicole. The day was relaxed with excellent tea and cakes to keep you going. The rug I have brought home is just gorgeous and I shall definitely be making more. If you love working with fleeces this is definitely a day you will love. Nicole was friendly, approachable and knowledgeable which made the day very enjoyable. You also get notes and a video, given on a memory stick, to help support you once home.”
Review for felted fleece rug – beigey-grey Scotch Mule
5/5 – thank you again
Posted by Lori on 2nd December 2022
“I absolutely love the new rug you made! It’s really beautiful.”
Review for Jacob wool felted fleece rug
5/5 – thank you so much!
Posted by Rachael Sivyer on 7th September 2022
“Just received my rug, all I can say is WOW!!! It’s stunning 😍 😍😍 ”
Review for felted fleece rug – Swaledale Mule
5/5 – stunning
Posted by Ann Garbett on 10th March 2022
“The rug arrived and is stunning. Thank you for your beautiful, ethical craft”
Review for sheep friendly rugs
5/5 – thank you!
Posted by Nate Holbrook on 7th October 2021
“My wife and I got our rugs and absolutely love them! We appreciate the beautiful craftsmanship and our pups love cuddling on them.”
Review for sheep friendly rug
5/5 – thank you!
Posted by Susie Carter on 14th May 2021
“Just a note to thank you for this gorgeous sheepskin. It has warmed my new home so much and I’m very grateful!”
Review for sheep friendly rugs
5/5 – beautiful!
Posted by Julie Eckstrom on 25th February 2021
They are absolutely beautiful — I keep finding more and more depth in them every time I look at them. And they feel incredible, especially on cold toes in the morning! Thank you so much for these treasures!
Review for felted fleece rug
5/5 – thank you
Posted by Jess Dobkin on 3rd February 2021
Thanks again and again to you and your sheep. This rug is such a special gift for a special occasion that will be treasured for a very long, long time
Review for felted fleece rug – soft cream curls
5/5 – thank you
Posted by Julie McCoy on 16th September 2020
Thank you for my beautiful rug, I am absolutely delighted with it!! It goes perfectly in my room and is so lovely and soft…
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