Both are primitive small-framed short-tailed heritage sheep but there the similarity ends as they have unique physical appearances and flavours. Unlike the North Ronaldsay, the ancestors of the Orkney Boreray could not access the beach, so their flavours are influenced by rough pasture as opposed to the North Ronaldsay diet of seaweed.

The Slow Food Presidium supports Orkney farmers who are dedicated to preserving the unique genetic heritage of the Boreray Orkney.