Now well established as a part of Summer School, the wonderful Beirhope Alpacas will be joining us again in 2025.
Come along to this drop-in session to meet Lynne and her herd of alpacas – feed them snacks, take them for a walk around the green, and learn more about their lives on a smallholding in the Scottish Borders. Direct interaction with the alpacas is not a requirement and you are welcome to look from afar if you prefer!
Please note that there will be students participating in a Multi-Species Ethnography training session at the same time. They may be observing, and asking questions of attendees who are willing to contribute.
You can read more about Beirhope’s environmental policies here, and you can learn more about these fascinating animals below.
Alpaca facts
Alpacas were considered animals of the Gods by the Incas in Peru. As both a food source and a fibre producing animal, they were held in high regard. Their fibre is beautiful, soft and hypoallergenic. It doesn’t contain lanolin like sheep’s wool does. Its warm, exquisite feel means it’s considered, like cashmere, to be a luxury product.
We are incredibly lucky to have The Border Mill so close in Duns. Mills need specialist equipment to process alpaca yarn. Ours is kept in batches identifying from which animal each skein comes from, and we are hugely proud to showcase this important heritage of woollen mills – something The Borders is synonymous with. We keep lots of our yarn in natural shades, making it both beautiful and sustainable. 100% alpaca, no dye, no acrylic just natural yarn supporting our own sustainable ethos.
Alpacas are prey animals; in Peru their main predator would be the puma. Whilst domesticated, alpacas do live a more ‘wild’ life in their home country. They give birth usually during daytime hours, around 8am – 2pm. They have the ability to stop labour and restart the next day! They know with plummeting nighttime mountain temperatures, their newborn Cria are vulnerable. So daytime births, with a dry Cria who’s found their legs, gives the best chance of survival. Fun fact – the phrase used when an alpaca gives birth is usually to ‘unpack’! They are pregnant on average 340 days.
Alpacas are herd animals and don’t like being alone. Safety in numbers. It’s advisable to keep a minimum of 3 at any one time.
Alpacas were bred as a food and fibre source. Their big cousins the llama are the workers. They are used to carry heavy loads, alpacas can only carry 10 kilos.
Unlike horses, when alpacas travel in transit they sit down, known as the “cushed” position. Going back to birthing, a newborn Cria is expected to gain enough control over their limbs to cush within the first hour of life.
They live to approx 25 years old. They once lived all over the world but died out. The Incas recognised the value of these animals and kept them going to be llamas and alpacas we know today.
They are light on the land, have ties not hooves. They are fabulous guard animals and will chase off predators such as foxes and badgers. They hum to communicate and have an almost pheasant-like shrill to alert and danger (sometimes it’s just a bird, not the haggis!!).
