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Sheeple

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Shetland sheep are a solid and hardy breed of sheep from the Shetland Islands. The extreme weather conditions  today reminds me how amazingly adaptable they are to their environment.  The rough grazing on  Fair Isle has resulted in the breed being super resilient.  They can be kept outside year round, without the need for winter housing. The wool of Shetland sheep is highly prized. It is, perhaps most famously, used to make Fair Isle sweaters.  

Fair Isle-The Baaaahamas Of The Shetlands

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Undiscovered Scotland Past Malcom's Head, today's fantastic walk takes in some of the best coastal scenery and features on Fair Isle., and Winter adds to the lighting  and texture.  Fair Isle is an island of two distinct parts. The northern two thirds is set for  grazing, open moorland, hills and sea cliffs that stand tall in open defiance to the battering sea and brutal weather conditions. The southern part is allocated for croft land (Sheep) and is home to most of the islanders. I'm down South this day, near our home. In fact the video above is our backyard views! Why are there no trees on this island?  At first, with such strong winds, one might believe that weather plays a part. The real reasons for the lack of trees are to do with clearance for firewood and the presence of sheep, which have prevented natural regeneration. The peat that's still burned in some parts of the highlands is the remnants of the forest that once covered the land. No man is an island, as ...

Atlantic Grey Seals Spotted Today

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    This tiny plane shuttles islanders and visitors back and forth  to Shetland (Mainland)...when the weather is suitable. We had two flights today-which means no ice on the runway. On the isolated beaches along the west coasts, behind the Croft house we are staying at, I easily spotted a grey atlantic seal, after a 10 minute trek down the grassy steep hills. Fair Isle draws hundreds of visitors a year,  some coming from as far away as America  and Zambia (Me and Sarah).Marooned halfway between the Shetland and Orkney archipelagos, this isle stands alone-as Britain's most remote inhabited island. Being here in the Winter, during the pandemic makes it even more remote, more special, more edgy.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Reif (@edreif) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Reif (@edreif)

Sunday On Fair Isle

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  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Reif (@edreif) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Reif (@edreif)

Shetland Turf

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  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Reif (@edreif)

WW2 Plane Wreckage Spotted

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 If you hit it, it's history. If you miss it it's mystery-WW2 Crash Site discovered on Fair Isle today

North Lighthouse Walk

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