Some good ideas for comfrey alternatives here on this thread.
Comfrey grows great here with me, so I'm very happy with it, but it occurs to me that Turkish rocket (Bunias orientalis) might be a good alternative in drier climates - It's a bit like a giant dandelion: deep tap root, edible leaves and flower shoots, dies back in winter.
spring leaves
I don't know what the nutritional profile of the leaves might be, but it seems to generate a fair amount of boimass. Quite cold hardy and drought tolerant. The only downside I can think of is that there is a possibility of it seeding around - but if you eat the flowers it won't!
One of our local crofters says that sheep are only ever working out new ways to die...
I don't have any sheep, but if I were to get some I'd like to look at Icelandic sheep - triple purpose: fleece, milk and meat. Again a primitive breed, and if they cope with Iceland winters they'd find Skye like a holiday! I believe they have short tails (so no docking) and the fleece could be rooed (combed out) instead of sheered.
A graduate scientist turned automotive engineer, currently running a small shop and growing plants on Skye: turning a sheep field into a food forest.
