We live in one of the UK’s most remote communities – here’s the best part
LOCALS living in one of the UK’s most isolated communities say there’s no “better” place.
Fair Isle, which is part of Shetland, is the most unpopulated place to live with only 50 residents.
The beautiful sea spot is located 80 miles off the Scottish mainland and it’s just three miles long and half a mile wide.
But islanders say it is the perfect place to live for people who love knitting and outdoors.
Eileen Thomson, one of the residents, said living in the island is a chance to become an “integral part of a strong community”.
“It’s a brilliant place to live, good quality of life, lovely neighbours. Shetland in the summer – you can’t beat it really.”
“We do a lot ourselves but we always look out for more folk with the right skills, you know practical folk.”
Ms Thomson was born on the island but moved to Edinburgh, before returning to raise a family of her own.
Her children make up almost half of the school with only five pupils.
The mum-of-two said: “We’ve got a great opportunity to add more children if folk have got families. We’ve got an amazing island shop, we’ve got a post office, we’ve got a nurse who looks after us.
“It’s just the most beautiful place, if you’re interested in the outdoors, if you’re interested in knitting there’s no better place really.”
The tiny island is famed for its patterned multicoloured knitwear worn by the royal family.
The community is self-sufficient and are always looking for residents to join their group full of enterprising people.
They are advertising two vacant roles for an engineer and a deckhand to work onboard its new ferry service.
“It would be the perfect opportunity for someone to come and take on the role but also have a nice home here and make a life on Fair Isle.
With plenty to come for the remote island on the next years, the hope is to attract more tourists.
Earlier this year, the smallest population scooped a £26.7 million Levelling-Up funding to replace their old Good Shepherd ferry.
The funding has been widely welcomed by islanders to keep Britain’s most remote inhabited island going.
A spokesperson for the National Trust for Scotland, which owns the island said: “It’s always welcome to see employment opportunities come up in Fair Isle, given their importance to the sustainability of this wonderful island.”
A new 25 metre Fair Isle ferry, two ro-ro terminals, associated road works are underway to be completed by April 2026.
Flights to and from Kirkwall are also being planned to help people wanting to visit.
