Opportunity to Live and Work on Fair Isle
A unique opportunity has arisen to live and work on Fair Isle, the UK's most remote inhabited island, but it is aimed at individuals with specific skills and experience.
Situated midway between Orkney and Shetland, Fair Isle is renowned for its distinctive knitwear and as a sanctuary for thousands of seabirds.
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS), which owns the majority of the three-mile (5km) long island, is seeking tenants for a croft that includes a four-bedroom house and approximately 15 acres (6 hectares) of land.
NTS has indicated that the tenancy is best suited for "resourceful and enthusiastic" individuals who already possess crofting experience and have a trade or can contribute to the island's knitwear industry.
About Fair Isle and Its Community
Fair Isle has a population of around 60 residents. The island supports a primary school and nursery, a shop, a post office, and a community hall.
Access to the island is possible by sea or air from mainland Shetland.
The house available for tenancy is equipped with oil heating, electricity supplied through the island's renewable energy schemes, as well as telephone and internet services.
Crofting and Desired Skills
A croft refers to a small agricultural holding, where crofters share common grazing land used for raising livestock.
The tenancy is particularly seeking applicants with crofting knowledge and skills in trades such as electrician, joiner, or boat work.
Tenants would be expected to establish a business or take an active role in Fair Isle knitwear, a textile tradition developed on the island in the early 19th century.
Statements from Officials
"We are looking forward to welcoming new people to the island to become part of the crofting community of Fair Isle," said Angus Murray, NTS' operations manager for Fair Isle.
"We are inviting resourceful and enthusiastic people with the skills, creativity, and care needed to make a success of this unique opportunity."
Eileen Thomson, director of Fair Isle Development Company, expressed hope that a family could be attracted to the tenancy to support the island's school, which currently has only four pupils.
"Ideally, we're looking for younger people, people of working age," she said.
Many island residents hold multiple jobs and voluntary roles.
"Most of us have a croft but also work in the school, on the ferry and in various community organisations as well.
It's so much better than having a nine to five."
Thomson also hopes to see the population increase to about 70 residents to allow key community roles to be more easily shared.
Ownership and Application Process
The majority of Fair Isle is owned by the National Trust for Scotland, which describes it as the UK's most remote inhabited island.
The trust will accept applications and create a shortlist, with a local committee participating in the interview process.
Applicants have been advised to contact the Scottish Land Matching Service (SLMS) for further information.
"This is an exceptionally rare opportunity to secure a croft and family home in one of Scotland's most remarkable island communities," said an SLMS spokesperson.
Applications must be submitted by midday on Friday 10 April.
