Fair Isle To Shetlands-Scottish Island Hopping
Fair Isle
Britain's Most Remote Inhabited Island
Waved goodbye to Fair Isle this morning and took our return flight to Tingwall.
Flights leave from Tingwall airport, a ten minute drive from Lerwick. There are flights to the isle each weekday, weather permitting. While 27 miles offshore to the north of Shetland mainland, the island of Fair Isle, the UK's furthest outpost island, is a tiny and breath-takingly beautiful jewel, rich in birdlife and with a dedicated community whose love for their home residents are only too eager to share with the few intrepid visitors who make the journey each year. This time it was Sarah and I, and now we were hopping back over to the Shetland Mainland.
A Natural and Cultural Treasure
Fair Isle is home to a staggering selection of flowering plants, with some 250 species, many of distinct rarity. And the island has been subject to intense archaeological study over the years, with evidence of human habitation stretching back 5000 years, many of the sites accessible to visitors, easily reached on foot amidst some of the most dramatic scenery in the UK.
Not forgetting what is perhaps Fair Isle's most famous cultural contribution – its knitwear. Practical, hardwearing, stylish, achingly fashionable, and in terms of authenticity, available only from Fair Isle producers.
Fair Isle: Facts & Features
Location
Situated 27 miles north of the Shetland mainland and 24 miles south of the Orkney Islands, making it Britain's most remote inhabited island.
Population
Home to a small but dedicated community who maintain their unique way of life on this isolated outpost.
Wildlife
A paradise for birdwatchers with numerous species of migratory birds, making it one of Europe's premier bird-watching destinations.
Fair Isle Knitwear
World-renowned for its distinctive patterns and high-quality craftsmanship, continuing a tradition that dates back centuries.
The journey to Fair Isle may be challenging, but those who make the effort are rewarded with one of Britain's most unspoiled and authentic island experiences.
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