A new initiative has been launched to preserve the Eriskay pony, a breed once integral to crofting life throughout the Western Isles. These sturdy ponies, of medium size, were historically employed to transport baskets laden with peat and seaweed, and even children on their journeys to school.
The decline in Eriskay pony numbers began with the introduction of other equine breeds and subsequently tractors before World War Two. By the early 1970s, only about 20 of these ponies remained. Although their population has rebounded to approximately 400 today, the Eriskay Pony Society emphasizes the need for further assistance to secure their future.
Eriskay, situated between South Uist and Barra in the southern region of the Western Isles, holds historical significance as the site of the grounding of the SS Politician in 1941, carrying a cargo of 250,000 bottles of whisky. Eriskay ponies were utilized in transporting whisky salvaged from the wreck, an event immortalized in Compton MacKenzie’s novel “Whisky Galore” in 1947, followed by an Ealing comedy film adaptation in 1949 and a remake in 2016.
Steve McMinn of the Eriskay Pony Society lauds the ponies’ resilience and intelligence, describing them as “absolutely fantastic” and well-suited to various tasks. With the decline in their population, efforts are underway to prevent inbreeding by carefully selecting breeding pairs with the assistance of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and genetic experts.
The society is also advocating for Eriskay ponies to be officially recognized by the National Pony Society, which would enhance their status as a native breed. These ponies, characterized as mid-sized, are born dark in color, gradually transitioning to grey and later white as they mature.