Fair Isle
Fair Isle (/ˈfɛər ˌaɪl/; Old Norse: Friðarey; Scottish Gaelic: Fara), sometimes Fairisle, is the southernmost Shetland island, situated roughly 38km (24 mi) from the Shetland Mainland and about 43km (27 mi) from North Ronaldsay (the most northerly island of Orkney).
| Old Norse name | Friðarøy/Friðarey |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | "fair island" or possibly "far-off isle" or "sheep isle". The Norse form Friðarey means literally "calm/peaceful isle" or "island (ey) of tranquility (frið(u)r)". |
Fair Isle viewed from the west. | |
| Location | |
Fair Isle Fair Isle shown within Shetland | |
| OS grid reference | HZ209717 |
| Coordinates | 59°32′30″N 1°37′21″W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Shetland |
| Area | 768 ha (1,900 acres) |
| Area rank | 61 |
| Highest elevation | Ward Hill 217 m (712 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Shetland Islands Council |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 65 |
| Population rank | 51 |
| Population density | 7.16/km2 (18.5/sq mi) |
| Largest settlement | Stonybreck |
| References | |
| Fair Isle North Lighthouse Skroo | |
The view eastwards towards the Fair Isle North Lighthouse | |
| Coordinates | 59.552142°N 1.609519°W |
| Constructed | 1892 |
| Designed by | David Alan Stevenson, Charles Alexander Stevenson |
| Construction | masonry tower |
| Automated | 1983 |
| Height | 14 m (46 ft) |
| Shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings | white tower, black lantern, ochre trim |
| Operator | Northern Lighthouse Board |
| Heritage | category B listed building |
| Fog signal | 3 blasts every 45 s |
| First lit | 1 November 1892 |
| Focal height | 80 m (260 ft) |
| Lens | hyperradiant Fresnel lens |
| Light source | engine generator |
| Intensity | 204,000 cd |
| Range | 22 nmi (41 km) |
| Characteristic | Fl (2) W 30s. |
| Fair Isle South Lighthouse Skadden | |
| Coordinates | 59.513906°N 1.652611°W |
| Constructed | 1892 |
| Designed by | David Alan Stevenson, Charles Alexander Stevenson |
| Construction | masonry tower |
| Automated | 1998 |
| Height | 26 m (85 ft) |
| Shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings | white tower, black lantern, ochre trim |
| Operator | Northern Lighthouse Board |
| Heritage | category B listed building |
| Fog signal | 2 blasts every 60 s |
| Focal height | 32 m (105 ft) |
| Light source |
|
| Range | 22 nmi (41 km) |
| Characteristic | Fl(4) W 30s, Fl(2) W 30s |
The entire archipelago lies off the northernmost coast of Scotland, in the North Sea. As the most remote inhabited island in the United Kingdom (and among the most northerly settlements in Great Britain), Fair Isle is known for its wild bird observatory, interesting historic shipwrecks, Scottish and Shetland-style traditional music, and its traditional style of knitting. The island has been owned by the National Trust for Scotland since 1954.
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