Scotland's Goat Population: 172,000 (2021 Agricultural Census)

According to the Scottish Government's June 2021 Agricultural Census, there were 172,000 goats in Scotland.

Context

• Trend: Gradual increase from ~150,000 (2010) — niche dairy/meat/fiber growing
• Distribution: Highlands & Islands (crofting), Dumfries & Galloway, Borders
• Breeds: Saanen, Toggenburg, British Alpine (dairy); Boer, Kiko (meat); Cashmere, Angora (fiber); Golden Guernsey (rare)
• Sector size: ~1,500 holdings; average herd 115; mostly small-scale

Economic Role

Goat milk (cheese, yogurt, soap), meat (cabrito, curry goat), fiber (cashmere, mohair), conservation grazing (bracken, gorse control). Scotch Goat PGI application pending.

Data Source

Scottish Government Results from the June 2021 Agricultural Census (published 2022). Next census 2024. UK total: ~110,000 (England) + 172,000 (Scotland) + ~10,000 (Wales/NI) ≈ 292,000.