Britain’s ‘Loneliest Sheep’ Rescued After Two Years Stranded on Remote Cliff
Fiona the Sheep was finally rescued after a cliffhanger of an adventure that now has a happy ending following the brave efforts of the local community, battling the difficult terrain to lift the sheep to safety.
By Richard Cole · November 13, 2023

Fiona the sheep, who spent more than two years living on the edge of a remote cliff in the Scottish Highlands, has finally been rescued in a daring mission that involved a team of farmers, climbers, and animal welfare officers.
The woolly wanderer, who was first spotted by a canoeist in 2021, had somehow managed to survive on the sparse vegetation and rainwater at the base of the steep slope. Her plight captured the attention of the local community, who decided to launch a “major operation” to bring her to safety following a petition by Animal Rising.
Cameron Wilson, a Scottish farmer who led the rescue mission, said that the team named the sheep Fiona after the heroine of the Shrek movies, who also had a hairy situation. He said that Fiona was “very lucky” to be alive, and that she had “a lot of character”.
The rescue involved a team of individuals with climbing expertise who descended down to the base of the cliff where Fiona was trapped. They then used heavy equipment to navigate the challenging terrain and lift the sheep up a steep slope. Despite the difficulties, Fiona was found to be in good condition, with a bit of extra weight.
“She was quite heavy, probably because she had so much wool on her. She must have been very warm down there,” Wilson said.
The Scottish SPCA confirmed that the sheep was in good bodily condition, despite her extended period of isolation. They thanked the experienced climbers who made the rescue possible, and said that Fiona was taken to a specialist home within Scotland to rest and recover.
Jillian Turner, who had initially spotted Fiona in 2021 while canoeing near the cliff, expressed shock and concern upon discovering that the sheep had been stranded for at least two years. She said that she had tried to alert the authorities, but no one seemed to take her seriously.
“I thought she was a rock at first, but then I saw her move. I couldn’t believe that there was a sheep down there. I tried to call the RSPCA, but they said they couldn’t do anything. I felt so sorry for her,” Turner said.
Fiona’s story is reminiscent of Shrek, a New Zealand sheep that gained international fame in 2004 after being found in a similar situation. Shrek had avoided being shorn for six years by hiding in a cave, and had grown a massive fleece that weighed 27 kg.
Fiona’s rescuers said that they did not weigh her fleece, but estimated that it was around 20 kg. They said that they planned to shear her soon, and donate the wool to a local charity.
The story ends on a positive note, with Fiona no longer lonely and having “lots of friends” in her new environment. The circumstances leading to Fiona’s predicament at the foot of the steep cliff remain unclear, but the focus is on her recovery and well-being after the successful rescue.
Wilson said that Fiona was “a very special sheep”, and that he hoped that her story would inspire people to care for animals in need. “She’s a survivor, and she deserves a happy ending,” he said.