Fair Isle Harbour, Shetland Islands

Fair Isle is the remotest inhabited island in the British Isles, located in the stormy seas between the Orkney and Shetland archipelagos.

Located 40Km south west of Sumburgh Head in the Shetlands the small island (2Km by 4Km) is home to less than 50 people, living in the south of the island where the land is more fertile. The island is mostly surrounded by cliffs and deep inlets / geos, the picture shows the North and South Haven, the only safe harbour. Behind the modern breakwater lies “The Good Shepherd” supply boat – she makes 3 trips per week to the Shetlands in the Summer and one per week in Winter. In summer a daily air service, using 8 seat Islander planes, lands (weather permtting) on the 485m un-paved runway.

There is a history of shipwreck on the rocky shores, so at the end of the 19th century two lighthouses were built, you can just see the top of the North Light in the image. Also visible is a large Communication tower, relaying telephone and internet between North Ronaldsay in Orkney and Shetland.

The island is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and with the residents is managed as a Nature Reserve. The large building in the image is the Bird Observatory which welcomes visitors in Spring, Summer, and Autumn to view the ever changing bird populations.

Europe / UK-Scotland

Lat: 59° 32' 14.91" N
Long: 2° 37' 20.95" W

Elevation: ground: 3m, camera 50m

→ maps.google.com [EXT]

Precision is: High. Pinpoints the exact spot.