With its two and four horns, the distinctive Manx Loaghtan sheep is unique to the Isle of Man and is the last of the breeds of mountain sheep which may have roamed the Manx hills in their thousands up until the eighteenth century. It also happens to be «probably the best lamb in the world» according to its many international plaudits, including famous TV chefs Si King and Dave Myer.

"Loaghtan" (pron. ‘Luf-ton’) is the Manx word for the "moorit" colour of the fleece. It may be derived from the two Manx words Lugh (mouse) and Dhoan (brown) or from Lhost dhoan (burnt brown). In past times, clothing made from Manx Loaghtan wool was highly prized.

Today, the champion of Manx Loaghtan is George Steriopulos, born in Ghana of Greek and Danish parents, and now famous for a passion for all things Manx – but particularly its Loaghtan Lamb. Internationally known for his devotion and belief in the breed and its future he has been largely responsible for the outstanding recognition of Manx Loaghtan within a discerning and has regularly exhibited at the Slow Food convention, the Salone del Gusto.

“Our lambs feed, as nature intended, on the pure herbage of the hillside” says George “and don’t mature until around 15 to 18 months. As a result the peerless meat is leaner, fitter and altogether tastier than conventional lamb”.

Manx Loaghtan farmer, Dougie Bolton is equally passionate about this very special breed. «Manx Loaghtan is characterised by being darker, with just 5% fat (compared to 28% in conventional lamb) and around 15% less cholesterol. Being hand reared in very small numbers, and an unsurpassed delicacy makes for what is simply the most exclusive lamb in the world».

That provenance and heritage status has now earned Manx Loaghtan the coveted PDO accreditation from the European Union.

“But the real experience is in the taste!” says George “there is simply nothing else like it”.

Manx Loaghtan is a proud member of Purely Isle of Man, a group of the Island's finest producers and craftspeople working together to bring the best of the Isle of Man to the rest of the world.