Fair Isle

• Fair Isle is a birdwatcher’s paradise – it’s a vital stopping-off point for migrating birds and more than 350 species have been recorded here.
• See signs of the island’s fascinating past everywhere, from remnants of Iron Age settlements to places named after Viking invaders and the wreck of a World War II German plane.
• Watch the island’s highly skilled craftspeople at work – spinning, weaving and of course knitting Fair Isle jumpers.
• Walk the length of the 3-mile island – there’s a Stevenson lighthouse at each end.

A small island to the south of Shetland, immortalised by the UK Shipping Forecast, Fair Isle has a romantic and captivating draw. People visit to experience the island’s remoteness and way of life, its seabirds, landscape, famous cultural heritage and to experience first-hand rare occurrences of migratory birds.

Fair Isle was acquired by the National Trust for Scotland from George Waterston, the renowned ornithologist, in 1954. The island’s nature is of exceptional significance, with a reputation for a wide variety of rare bird species occurring with unfailing regularity each year. There is also a rich marine environment and important geological features. Fair Isle’s nature conservation importance is formally recognised through the award of the European Diploma by the Council of Europe, highlighting its exceptional seabird colonies, rare species and unique habitats. 

Fair Isle’s cultural heritage is similarly impressive, with archaeological sites dating from 5,000 years ago to the present day, both on land and on the seabed. The world-renowned knitwear tradition is part of the island’s living cultural heritage, connecting Fair Isle’s community to global audiences while sustaining local livelihoods.