Welcome to the 
Gotland Sheep Association UK

A Friendly Group of Gotland Sheep Enthusiasts
Preserving Heritage and Excellence in Gotland Sheep Breeding

About GSAUK
Established in 2025, the Gotland Sheep Association UK is a welcoming and transparent community for individuals who share a passion for Gotland sheep and their beautiful wool. Our mission is to support the preservation through shared knowledge, defining breeding standards, and maintaining pedigree records. Together, we aim to foster an all-inclusive network for Gotland sheep enthusiasts and breeders, ensuring the enduring legacy and quality of this magnificent breed. Join us in celebrating and supporting 
Gotland sheep in the United Kingdom.

Reach out to committee members - we are here to help!

Mark Rees

Chairman

Introducing Mark Rees, our Chairman at the Gotland Sheep Association UK. With his experience and unwavering commitment, he plays a pivotal role in fostering the association's vision and objectives.

Dawn Rees

Vice Chair

The Gotland Sheep Association UK proudly counts Dawn Rees among its prominent committee members as Vice Chair. Dawn’s profound knowledge and enthusiasm for the Gotland Sheep breed drive her efforts to oversee and enhance breeding programs, ensuring the sustainable growth and recognition of this unique sheep variety within the UK. Her contribution underscores the association’s commitment to excellence.

Magaret Skerritt

Treasurer

Magaret Skerritt serves as the Treasurer for the Gotland Sheep Association UK. With a steadfast commitment to the association's mission, she manages the financial affairs to ensure transparency, sustainability, and growth. Her experience and dedication are vital to supporting initiatives that preserve and promote the foundation of Gotland Sheep breeding standards and pedigree maintenance within the UK.

Natasha Main

Secretary

Natasha Main holds the role as the Secretary of the Gotland Sheep Association UK, Natasha brings her organizational expertise and extensive experience in the agricultural sector to support our mission. Natasha ensures effective communication within the association, manages correspondence, and helps coordinate events and activities. Her dedication to the Gotland Sheep community embodies the association's values, fostering collaboration among members. Natasha's commitment significantly contributes to the preservation and promotion of Gotland Sheep within the UK, aligning with our strategic objectives.

Ruth Ashton-Shaw

Committee Member

Ruth Ashton-Shaw serves as a Committee Member of the Gotland Sheep Association UK. Her dedication and commitment to promoting the welfare and standards of the Gotland Sheep are essential contributions to the association's mission. As a member of the committee, Ruth plays a pivotal role in guiding activities, providing valuable insights, and supporting the community of sheep enthusiasts who are passionate about preserving and celebrating the Gotland Sheep heritage in the United Kingdom.

Julia Nutter

Committee Member

Julia Nutter serves as a dedicated Committee Member within the Gotland Sheep Association UK. Her passion and expertise contribute significantly to the preservation initiatives and the cultivation of a thriving community for Gotland sheep enthusiasts across the United Kingdom.

Jodi Shadforth

Committee Member

Jodi Shadforth serves as a dedicated Committee Member of the Gotland Sheep Association UK. Jodi actively contributes to the association's mission of preserving and promoting the Gotland Sheep breed by participating in strategic decision-making processes and facilitating initiatives that support breeding programs and pedigree record maintenance. Her commitment to fostering an inclusive and knowledgeable community aligns perfectly with the association's goals. Jodi is also the secretary for the Wensleydale Association bringing a wealth of knowledge into the day to day running of the GSAUK.

Mary-Anne Cast

Committee Member

Committee Member, Mary-Anne Cast is a valued committee member of the Gotland Sheep Association UK. She lends her expertise and commitment to furthering the goals of the association, including promoting the preservation and fostering the community of Gotland Sheep enthusiasts across the United Kingdom.

Breed History
It is believed that the ancestors of Gotland Sheep was first established on the Swedish island of Gotland by the Vikings when native landrace sheep were crossed with Karakul and Romanov sheep brought back from expeditions deep into Russia. The Vikings brought sheep along on their journeys to provide meat and skins along the route. The Gutesheep are believed to be related directly to the Vikings sheep. Since the 1920’s an intensive selection among the horned Gutesheep followed by controlled breeding and has produced the sheep we today know as the Gotland Sheep (Formerly known as Gotland Pelt or Swedish Pelt).

The Gotland Sheep was first imported into the UK in 1972 with numbers growing year on year.
As a result of the enthusiam for the breed and the lack of a proactive association to help profile the breed the GSAUK was formed in 2025 for the benefit of the Gotland Sheep in the UK.
Breed Standard
The head is finely shaped, without wool and both ewes and rams are hornless. The body has a generous length with a level back and a slightly dropping croup. The tail is short. Slender legs free from wool. Head and legs are black, white markings sometimes appear on the head. The colour of the fleece varies from light grey to dark grey. 
Average weight is 60 – 70 kg for the ewes, and 70 – 90 kg for the rams.
The Gotland Sheep in 5-6 months will ideally be able to produce 2 lambs weighing  approximately 35 – 45 kg each (live weight), but of course, this can vary in flocks and different parts of the country.

The carcass must have good proportions, especially on the back, haunch and shoulder – the meat is lean, tender and close textured. 
The carcass has a weight of 17 – 24 kg. The colour of the fleece must be uniform pure and clear, light to dark grey. The curl must have a regular S-shaped wavy apperance over the whole fleece with a three dimensional character.  The wool from the Gotland Sheep is lustrous, soft and curly, which gives the yarn a beautiful colour and a silky lustre and softness.

Membership Community

Membership Community

Become part of a friendly, transparent, all-inclusive UK based Gotland sheep network. You don't have to physically own Gotland Sheep to be a member. You may be interested in the wool, meat or pelts and wish to engage with other members within our friendly Association. There are different levels of membership to suit everyone.

Breeding Standards Definition

Breeding Standards Definition

We define and uphold strict Gotland sheep breeding standards and are ready to assist new, young and old members with the breeding standards of your pedigree Gotland Sheep in the UK.

Pedigree Registration

Pedigree Registration

Ensuring the integrity and preservation of Gotland sheep pedigrees. Register your pedigree Gotland Sheep* in our flock books. The GSAUK recognises any pedigrees from the British Gotland Sheep Society. *Subject to meeting the pedigree requirements.


Join up now with our INTRODUCTORY OFFER until April 30th 2026

INTRODUCTORY OFFER - BASIC MEMBERSHIP - £10/year  Usually £15/year

INTRODUCTORY OFFER - BASIC MEMBERSHIP - £10/year  Usually £15/year

Become a Basic GSAUK member and enjoy our Newsletter throughout the year. This membership is ideal if you don't currently own Gotland Sheep but interested in the breed, the wool and wish to support our association and network with likeminded enthusiasts.

Join Now
INTRODUCTORY OFFER - FULL MEMBERSHIP - £25/year  Usually £30/year

INTRODUCTORY OFFER - FULL MEMBERSHIP - £25/year  Usually £30/year

Become a full member and enjoy everything the GSAUK can offer: Pedigree Registration Advertise stock on our website Networking Events Promotional Support at Events Attend AGM's

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INTRODUCTORY OFFER - FAMILY MEMBERSHIP - £50/year Usually £60/year

INTRODUCTORY OFFER - FAMILY MEMBERSHIP - £50/year Usually £60/year

It is important for the benefit of the Gotland Sheep in the UK that we encourage younger members to the Gotland's in order to continue it's popularity well into the future. Our family membership allows U18's free when two adults pay full membership. U12's will receive a FREE gift pack when joining as part of the family membership.

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Please fill in the form below to become a member of the GSAUK

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Click on the year below and download our Flock Book

GSAUK Flock Book 2025

EXAMPLE - Click Download Here you can find a copy of the GSAUK Flock book for all registered Gotland Sheep in 2025. If you have further enquiries, please email secretary@gsauk.co.uk

GSAUK Flock Book 2026

COMING IN 2026 Here you can find a copy of the GSAUK Flock book for all registered Gotland Sheep in 2026. If you have further enquiries, please email secretary@gsauk.co.uk


MEMBERS ONLY: Advertise your Gotland Sheep for Sale or Wanted email Gender, Age, Reg No. Contact details & Price to web@gsauk.co.uk 

For Sale


If you are attending events throughout the year with your Gotland Sheep then please let us know and we will support you with leaflets, stickers and banners to help profile the Gotland Sheep in the UK.

Devon County Show

Devon County Show

21/05/2026

The Devon County Show is one of the South West’s premier agricultural shows and attracts top livestock exhibitors from the region and beyond.

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Royal Highland Show

Royal Highland Show

18/06/2026

The Royal Highland Show is an annual event, showcasing the best of food, farming and rural life at Ingliston in Edinburgh. Thursday 18 - Sunday 21 June, 2026.

Read More

Please get in touch if you have a question. We aim to reply within 72 hours.