[6] Modern breeds descended from the Dunface include the Boreray and also the North Ronaldsay and the Shetland.

[12] In the 1970s half a dozen of them were exported to form the basis of a breeding population on the mainland, but the majority of Borerays still remain on the island.

[13] Despite being partially derived from a long-tailed breed (the Scottish Blackface), Borerays display characteristics which group them with other northern European short-tailed sheep.

They are amongst the smallest sheep, with mature ewes weighing 28 kg (62 lb) and standing 55 cm (22 in) at the withers.

[6] Fleeces are grey or creamy white on the body, though darker individuals occur whose colouring is similar to the Soay sheep.

Mature rams can grow especially large, spiral horns which may be used for crafts such as making shepherd's crooks.

Since 2012, sheep numbers have been increasing year on year;[17] and in 2017 the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) moved the classification of the sheep from 'Category 2: Critical' to 'Category 3: Vulnerable' as the number of breeding ewes was estimated to exceed 500.

[19] However, in 2017 the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimated that there are 426 breeding ewes.