Auld Mill Alpacas

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Auld Mill Alpacas All about alpacas, alpaca yarns and fleecy things, and private alpaca treks in Moray in North-East Scotland !

Auld Mill Alpacas, in Morayshire in the North East of Scotland, is one of Scotland's largest breeding herds of alpacas. We aim to breed healthy and content alpacas with excellent fleece on a sound frame. We particularly appreciate alpacas' brilliant range of colours and we are delighted to have many colours within our herd. Check out our herd and alpaca information at www.auldmillalpacas.co.uk

We offer private Alpaca Treks for over 14s - go to www.alpacadaysout.co.uk for more information

Ice and Fire ! Auld Mill Jack sits happily in the frosted field whilst the early morning sun catches the autumnal leaves...
19/10/2026

Ice and Fire !

Auld Mill Jack sits happily in the frosted field whilst the early morning sun catches the autumnal leaves of cherry tree.



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Our six pygmy goats don’t often all appear in the same photo, but here they are ! At the front, Mabel. And, at the back,...
16/10/2026

Our six pygmy goats don’t often all appear in the same photo, but here they are !

At the front, Mabel. And, at the back, Mavis, Sybil, Olga, Raquel and Madge. The Ms are all going to be ten years old in Spring 2017.


A lovely day today for a spot of herd husbandry. One of the regular tasks is toenail trimming. Alpacas have two toes on ...
11/10/2026

A lovely day today for a spot of herd husbandry.

One of the regular tasks is toenail trimming. Alpacas have two toes on each foot with a fleshy pad underneath which bears their weight. The toenails need trimming from time to time.

The photo shows a foot being held “upside down” - you can see the underside of the foot and two neatly trimmed nails.



Today’s Trekkers enjoyed a gluten-free Chocolate Trekkers’ Cake, freshly made coffee and the warmth of the bothy fire. T...
08/10/2026

Today’s Trekkers enjoyed a gluten-free Chocolate Trekkers’ Cake, freshly made coffee and the warmth of the bothy fire.

They booked their Alpaca Trek at alpacadaysout.co.uk and you can too ! Dates available until the end of October. You can also buy Alpaca Trek Gift Vouchers there.



05/10/2026

Alpacas are ruminants, modified ruminants really in that they have three stomach compartments rather than true ruminants’ four.

Here’s Shapinsay giving a demonstration of how the first compartment works !

After a few seconds of watching, you’ll see her stop chewing. Watch the front of her neck and you’ll see her swallow. Keep watching, and you’ll see a bulge travel rapidly upwards and she begins chewing again. Keep watching to the end to see another swallow.

The first stomach compartment acts as a storage and fermentation space for grass and hay that she’s grazed in the last few hours. When she feels she needs to, she’ll do what she’s doing in the video. She regurgitates a mouthful of that part-fermented grass, chews it into a pulp, and then reswallows it. It bypasses her first stomach and goes to the second compartment. The process continues until she decides to stop and then she’ll get back to grazing !

Food processing is a continuous process for ruminants. Any sustained interruption can have a damaging impact on their gut bacteria.

Thanks for the demo, Shapinsay !



You’ve maybe read about the rising number of cases of a disease called Bluetongue in Scotland. It’s a viral disease affe...
01/10/2026

You’ve maybe read about the rising number of cases of a disease called Bluetongue in Scotland. It’s a viral disease affecting ruminants - cattle, sheep, goats, deer … and alpacas and llamas.

It is spread via biting insects. It is not contagious in that one sheep can’t give it to another sheep - an insect needs to bite an infected animal and then an uninfected one to pass it on. It doesn’t affect humans, and there are no food safety issues associated with it.

In infected animals it can cause weight loss, fever, pneumonia and even death.

It didn’t used to be a problem in the UK but it is now. It reached southern Scotland in August and there have now been cases in Aberdeenshire, so it’s getting closer to us all the time.

As the weather cools as autumn progresses, insect activity should decline. However, it’s a very pleasant 19° here today, at the beginning of October, and that’s not going to discourage insect activity !

A vaccine is available and fortunately we’ve been able to source some through our vets. We gave our alpacas, llamas and goats their first dose today and we’ll need to repeat it in three weeks’ time. As with every other medication we give our alpacas and llamas, the vaccine is not approved for their use - it is given with vet advice.

This is another example of novel diseases reaching us, most of which were previously only seen in places with much milder climates.


Owing to a cancellation, we have two places available on our Weaving for Beginners Workshop on Friday 9th October. You’l...
28/09/2026

Owing to a cancellation, we have two places available on our Weaving for Beginners Workshop on Friday 9th October.

You’ll be weaving a full-size 100% alpaca scarf in your choice of colours and pattern. The day will include your instruction, printed notes, refreshments, lunch and a tour of the alpacas !

We’ll cover yarn selection for weaving, warping up the loom, the weaving process itself, finishing the scarf and much, much more ! There are only two learners and you’ll have one-on-one attention whilst we’re weaving.

You won’t weave a full length scarf on the day of course, but you’ll be taking the loom home with you, for up to three weeks, with your part-completed scarf on it, and you’ll finish it at home. Many students will also complete another scarf or two in that three weeks ! At the end of the three weeks, you may decide that you want to keep the scarf rather than returning it - if that’s your choice, we’ll invoice you for the loom at cost.

Dates are also available from November through to March 2027.

PM us with any questions, or book online at auldmillalpacas.co.uk/training





Fangdale Apache and his daughter Auld Mill Bella. Both Dark Rose Grey, both dense fleeced, both sturdy-framed. The apple...
25/09/2026

Fangdale Apache and his daughter Auld Mill Bella. Both Dark Rose Grey, both dense fleeced, both sturdy-framed. The apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree !


“Why are we lying in a line like this ? We’re waiting for lunch, that’s why !”
22/09/2026

“Why are we lying in a line like this ? We’re waiting for lunch, that’s why !”



Samuel the alpaca and John, mid-Trek ! Samuel is a really good lead alpaca. He’s steady and confident and he checks in w...
19/09/2026

Samuel the alpaca and John, mid-Trek !

Samuel is a really good lead alpaca. He’s steady and confident and he checks in with the rest of his team at regular intervals, stopping to look back and seeming to count everyone !

Not every alpaca makes a good leader and setting off with a group of “follower” alpacas won’t necessarily make for a smooth experience !


Address

Mossend Farm, Mosstowie
Elgin
IV308TU

Telephone

+447773968979

Website

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