Fair Isle and Foula
The Shetland Archipelago is made up of over 100 small islands, but aside from Mainland where we base our passenger flight operations, there are 2 islands we have particular fondness for. Fair Isle and Foula are the islands in question, and these are the islands which we provide frequent inter-island passenger flight services for, flying out of Tingwall airport, just outside Lerwick, Mainland.
Read more about our Shetland flights.
Fair Isle
Fair Isle is a small, remote island situated almost equidistant between Orkney and the southern tip of Shetland Mainland. You may well have heard of it due to the world-famous knitting patterns which originated on the island, which are still prevalent today, and are probably what the island is best known for.
There is a population of around 60 people who call the island home on a permanent basis, and most live towards the south of the island. Despite an increasingly modern economy, agriculture is still an exceedingly important aspect of life on the island, with some of the major moments in the Fair Isle calendar revolving around crofting. Visitors are often invited to participate in some of this work, including assisting in rounding up and clipping sheep during the summer.
The history of Fair Isle is a fascinating one, a story that includes Vikings, shipwrecks, and a small yet thriving community that has preserved its traditions for centuries.
Fair Isle was populated as long as 6000 years ago, evidenced by Neolithic land divisions. Further evidence of ancient populations are burnt mounds from the Bronze Age, and Landberg Fort dating back to the Iron Age.
Vikings settled in the 8th century and thrived for several hundred years during which many attacks were launched on Mainland, ultimately proving successful as shown by the Viking ruins left behind throughout Shetland. The Viking residence on Fair Isle is frequently acknowledged in the Orkneyinga Saga.
Over the next centuries, population numbers dwindled, due to disease, land ownership, and later emigration to America. In 1954, the National Trust for Scotland took ownership of Fair Isle, and population numbers have been steady since then.
Fair Isle represents one of the UK’s seabird havens, posing as a breeding ground and stop-off point for many species both native and migrant. This has been a major cause for tourism to the island, with many birders making the trip for some of the best opportunities to see seabirds in the UK. Read about some of the birdlife which can be seen around Shetland here. The bird observatory was extremely popular with visitors and was used as an ornithological research station until a devastating fire in 2019 destroyed the entire building. A rebuild is currently underway for a new observatory, which will be fantastic for not only the continuation of research but for the community as a whole.
As previously mentioned, Fair Isle’s knitwear is quite literally world-famous and is the main reason why people might have heard of the island. Although widely produced and imitated further afield nowadays, you can still find traditional hand-made knitwear on the island complete with stunning patterns and colours.
Fair Isle is a fascinating place with a rich history and unique traditions. From its Viking past to its distinctive knitting, the island has much to offer. Its remote location and natural beauty mean it is well worth a visit, and we can help you get there.
Foula
Foula is similarly remote to Fair Isle, found 20 miles to the west of the Shetland Islands. The rugged landscape is home to around 30 residents and is rich in wildlife and marvellous scenery. To demonstrate how remote it is, if you were to fly directly west from Foula, you would not find land until you reach the east coast of Greenland.
Travel to the island is often disrupted by weather, especially for sea-going vessels, which is one of the main reasons why our Shetland flights are so important. In poor weather when usual transport schedules are affected, our nimble Britten-Norman Islander aircraft are quick to take advantage of just the slightest breaks in the weather to carry passengers and supplies from Lerwick to Foula at a moment’s notice.
However, once you’ve arrived in Foula, you will find it is festooned with an incredible variety of wildlife, again proving extremely popular for birders. Wi-Fi has not yet reached the island, there are no pubs, nor shops. It is simply fabulous for an escape to the wilderness and getting back in touch with nature, with guest houses and campsites the best source of accommodation. Most residents are found on the east of the island, with farms spread between large areas of peat moss, where iconic Foula sheep and of course, Shetland ponies can be found.
The north coast is the most picturesque area on the island, home to Garda, a striking sea stack, and Da Kame, which is home to the majority of Foula’s nesting birds, and one of the highest cliffs in the whole of Europe.
Foula has the same Neolithic foundations as Fair Isle, and a similar Viking history too. Interestingly, Foula and its residents still utilise a version of the old Julian calendar, having not switched to the Gregorian calendar with the rest of the UK back in 1752, which is another quirky feature of this small island.
More rugged and more untouched than Fair Isle, a visit to the most remote habited island in the UK is an opportunity not to be missed when venturing up to Shetland, especially for those who are particularly fond of nature and wildlife.
How do you get to the Shetland Islands?
The most common ways to travel to the islands are either arriving by ferry or by getting flights to Shetland. At Airtask, we offer Shetland inter-island flights, operating passenger services between Lerwick, departing from Tingwall Airport, to both Foula and Fair Isle. For more information and flight scheduling, please click here.
Looking for something adventurous?
Whilst on your camping trip, why not view all of the magnificent sights of the Shetland Islands from above? Among the most awe-inspiring things to do in Shetland, is to take in the magnificent lochs, stunning beaches, historical sites and more from an aerial perspective. Call 01595 840246 or email lwk.ops@airtask.com to secure your place on the only scenic flights available in Shetland.