Editing Fair Isle

{{short description|Southernmost Shetland Island, Scotland}}
{{about|the island|the knitting technique|Fair Isle (technique)|the racehorse|Fair Isle (horse)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox Scottish island
|map =
|coordinates = {{coord|59|32|30|N|1|37|21|W|type:isle_region:GB-ZET|display=title,inline}}
|location_map = Scotland Shetland
|caption = Fair Isle shown within Shetland
|GridReference = HZ209717
|Image = Fair Isle Scotland.JPG
|ImageCaption = Fair Isle viewed from the west
|norse name = Friðarøy<ref name=Smith/>/Friðarey<ref>{{Orkneyinga}}</ref>
|meaning of name = "fair island" or possibly "far-off isle"<ref name=Smith/> or "sheep isle".<ref>{{Gaelic Placenames}}</ref> The Norse form ''{{lang|non|Friðarey}}'' means literally "calm/peaceful isle" or "island (''{{lang|non|[[wikt:ey#Icelandic|ey]]}}'') of tranquility (''{{lang|non|[[wikt:friður#Icelandic|frið(u)r]]}}'')".<ref>The form ''{{lang|non|friðar}}'' is the [[genitive]] singular.</ref>
|area = {{cvt|768|ha|acre}}
|area rank = 61
|highest elevation = Ward Hill {{cvt|217|m|ft|0}}
|Population=65<ref name="Daily Record">{{cite web |title=Tiny Scots island with population of just 65 self-isolating in bid to beat coronavirus |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/tiny-scots-isle-population-just-21783107 |url-status=live |work=Daily Record |date=31 March 2020 |access-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404090320/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/tiny-scots-isle-population-just-21783107 |archive-date=4 April 2020}}</ref>
|population density = {{cvt|7.16|PD/km2}}
|population rank = 51
|main settlement = Stonybreck
|island group = [[Shetland]]
|local authority = [[Shetland Islands Council]]
|references=<ref name=Smith>{{Haswell-Smith}}</ref><ref name=OS4>{{cite map|title=Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 4 ''Shetland (South Mainland)''|ISBN=9780319228104|publisher=Ordnance Survey|date=2014}}</ref>
|module={{Infobox lighthouse | qid = Q17851868 |embed = yes
| name = Fair Isle North Lighthouse<br/>''Skroo''
| image_name = North coast of Fair Isle - geograph.org.uk - 871074.jpg
| caption = The view eastwards towards the Fair Isle North Lighthouse
| location = Fair Isle<br/>[[Shetland]]<br/>Scotland
| coordinates = {{coord|59.552142|-1.609519}}
| yearbuilt = 1892
| automated = 1983
| construction = masonry tower
| shape = cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
| marking = white tower, black lantern, ochre trim
| height = {{cvt|14|m|ft}}
| focalheight = {{cvt|80|m|ft}}
| lightsource = engine generator
| intensity = 204,000&nbsp;cd
| range = {{cvt|22|nmi|km}}
| characteristic = Fl (2) W 30s.
| fogsignal = 3 blasts every 45&nbsp;s
| managingagent = [[Northern Lighthouse Board]]<ref name="Lighthouses of Scotland: Shetland">{{cite rowlett|sht |access-date=14 July 2016}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nlb.org.uk/LighthouseLibrary/Lighthouse/Fair-Isle-North/  Fair Isle North] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305200602/http://www.nlb.org.uk/LighthouseLibrary/Lighthouse/Fair-Isle-North/ |date=5 March 2016}} Northern Lighthouse Board. Retrieved 28 May 2016</ref>
}}{{Infobox lighthouse | qid = Q17851293 | embed = yes
| name = Fair Isle South Lighthouse<br/>''Skadden''
| image_name = Fair Isle South light - geograph.org.uk - 259309.jpg
| location = Fair Isle<br/>[[Shetland]]<br/>Scotland
| coordinates = {{coord|59.513906|-1.652611}}
| yearbuilt = 1892
| automated = 1998
| construction = masonry tower
| shape = cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
| marking = white tower, black lantern, ochre trim
| height = {{cvt|26|m|ft}}
| focalheight = {{cvt|32|m|ft}}
| lightsource = {{ubl|wind power|engine generator}}
| range = {{cvt|22|nmi|km}}
| fogsignal = 2 blasts every 60&nbsp;s
| managingagent = Northern Lighthouse Board<ref name="Lighthouses of Scotland: Shetland" /><ref name="Fair Isle South">{{cite web |title=Fair Isle South |url=http://www.nlb.org.uk/LighthouseLibrary/Lighthouse/Fair-Isle-South/ |url-status=live |publisher=Northern Lighthouse Board |access-date=14 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625055550/http://www.nlb.org.uk/LighthouseLibrary/Lighthouse/Fair-Isle-South/ |archive-date=25 June 2016}}</ref>
}}}}

'''Fair Isle''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|ɛər|_|aɪ|l}} {{respell|FAIR|_|eyel}}; {{langx|non|Friðarey}}), sometimes '''Fairisle''', is the southernmost [[Shetland]] island, situated roughly {{convert|38|km|nmi|abbr=off|frac=2}} from the Shetland Mainland and about {{convert|43|km|nmi|abbr=off|frac=2}} from [[North Ronaldsay]] (the most northerly island of [[Orkney]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shetland.org/visit/plan/areas/fair-isle |title=Fair Isle{{dash}}Shetland.org|website=www.Shetland.org/visit |publisher=NB Communication; Promote Shetland}}</ref>

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]]),<ref>{{cite news |last=Crane |first=Nicholas |author-link=Nicholas Crane |title=Britain's 10 best islands |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/9289443/Britains-best-islands.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=18 February 2016 |access-date=14 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101011651/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/9289443/Britains-best-islands.html |archive-date=1 January 2016}}</ref> Fair Isle is known for its wild bird observatory, interesting historic [[shipwreck]]s, [[Music of Scotland|Scottish]] and [[Music of Shetland|Shetland-style  traditional music]], and its traditional style of knitting, also called "[[Fair Isle (technique)|Fair Isle]]". The island has been owned by the [[National Trust for Scotland]] since 1954.

==History==
[[File:Heladia Carta Marina.JPG|thumb|left|179px|Fair Isle (Feedero) depicted close to Shetland (Hetlandia) on the 1539 ''[[Carta Marina]]'']]
Fair Isle has been occupied since [[Neolithic]] times, which is remarkable given the lack of raw materials on the island, although it is surrounded by rich fishing waters. There are two known [[Iron Age]] sites: a promontory fort at Landberg and the foundations of a house underlying an early Christian settlement at Kirkigeo.

Most of the place names date from after the 9th-century Norse settlement of the Northern Isles. By that time the croft lands had clearly been in use for centuries.

Between the 9th and 15th centuries, Fair Isle was a [[List of possessions of Norway|Norwegian possession]]. In 1469, Shetland, along with Orkney, was part of the dowry of the [[Christian I of Denmark|King of Denmark]]'s daughter, [[Margaret of Denmark, Queen of Scotland|Margaret]], on her marriage to [[James III of Scotland]].<ref>{{cite Q|Q105836277|pages=7}}</ref>

On 27 Sepetember 1588 [Old Style] the flagship of the [[Spanish Armada]], ''[[El Gran Grifón]]'', was shipwrecked in the cove of [[Stroms Hellier]], forcing its 300 sailors to spend six weeks living with the islanders.<ref>William Boyd, ''Calendar State Papers Scotland'', vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1915), p. 635.</ref> The wreck was discovered in 1970. A first hand account of the Spanish on Fair Isle comes from a diary of an unknown Spaniard from the ''[[El Gran Grifón]]'' (translation by Mike Shepherd).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Duro |first=C. F. |title=La Armada Invencible. Volume 2. |date=1885 |pages=279-293 |language=Spanish |trans-title=The Spanish Armada}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Shepherd |first=Mike |title=North Sea Heroes |date=2022 |publisher=Wild Wolf Publishing |isbn=9781907954825 |pages=6-21}}</ref>  <blockquote>We settled in a shelter we found on the day we ran into this great danger, which was 27 September 1588. We found it populated by up to seventeen neighbours in small houses that were more like huts than anything else; a savage people. They eat mostly fish and they do not have bread, or very little, and cakes baked from barley. They cook these over fires fed with fuel taken from the earth, which they call ''turba'' [peat]. They have cattle, quite a lot for them because they seldom eat meat. They herd cows, sheep, and pigs; the cows sustain them and they make more money from the milk and butter. They get wool from the sheep for their clothes. They are very dirty people. They are not Christian but not quite heretics either. Their minister comes from an island to preach to them once a year. They do not like this but cannot do anything about it. It is a shame. Three hundred men landed on this island without any food. From September 28<sup>th</sup> to November 14<sup>th</sup> fifty men have died. Most of them from hunger. It is the biggest sorrow in the world''.'' We decided to send messengers to the neighbouring island to get boats to Scotland. However, because the weather was so bad, this was not possible until October 27<sup>th</sup>, which was a pleasant day. They have not returned yet because the seas have been so rough. [The diary ends here.] </blockquote>

The large Canadian sailing ship ''[[Black Watch (full rigged ship)|Black Watch]]'' was wrecked on Fair Isle in 1877.

In 1862 around 40% of the population migrated to [[New Brunswick]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Hutchison|first=Iain|title=The 1862 Fair Isle Clearance to New Brunswick|journal=[[The Scottish Historical Review]]|volume=102|year=2023|pages=91–115|doi=10.3366/shr.2023.0590 }}</ref>

[[File:Fair Isle - Croft houses.jpg|thumb|left|[[Croft houses]]]]

Fair Isle was bought by the National Trust for Scotland in 1954 from [[George Waterston]], the founder of the bird observatory.<ref>{{cite web |title=Case Study: Wind Power on Fair Isle |url=http://www.ntseducation.org.uk/students/case-fairIsle.html |url-status=dead |publisher=[[National Trust for Scotland]] |access-date=7 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420084059/http://www.ntseducation.org.uk/students/case-fairIsle.html |archive-date=20 April 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Nicolson |first=James R |title=Shetland |url=https://archive.org/details/shetland00nico |url-access=registration |publisher=David & Charles |location=Newton Abbot, UK |year=1972 |page=[https://archive.org/details/shetland00nico/page/27 27]|isbn=9780715355480}}</ref> In that decade, electricity was not yet available to residents and only some homes had running water; the population was declining at a level that created concern.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tallack |first=Malachy |title=The Trust and us |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/economy/2007/09/trust-and-us |work=[[New Statesman]] |date=17 September 2007 |access-date=2 November 2020}}</ref>

The population decreased steadily from about 400 in 1900. There were around 55 permanent residents on the island in 2015,<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite news |title=Bid to boost Fair Isle population launched |date=29 June 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-33304707 |url-status=live |publisher=[[BBC News]] |access-date=1 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701035241/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-33304707 |archive-date=1 July 2015}}</ref> the majority of whom were crofters. In April 2021, the population was 48 and the island became the first place in the UK all of whose adult inhabitants had been vaccinated against [[COVID-19]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Stout |first=Jen |title=Covid: Every adult is vaccinated in Fair Isle, the UK's remotest island community |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-56691073 |access-date=15 April 2021 |publisher=BBC News |date=15 April 2021 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414195020/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-56691073 |url-status=live}}</ref> The island has 14 [[scheduled monument]]s, ranging from the earliest signs of human activity to the remains of a [[Second World War]] radar station. The two automated lighthouses are protected as [[listed buildings]].

The island houses a series of high-technology relay stations carrying vital TV, radio, telephone and military communication links between Shetland, Orkney and the Scottish mainland.<ref>See reference at [http://www.fairisle.org.uk/History/ Fairisle.org.uk] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924005903/http://www.fairisle.org.uk/History/ |date=24 September 2015}}.</ref> In this respect it continues its historic role as a signal station, linking the mainland and the more remote island groups. In 1976, when television relay equipment was updated to permit colour broadcasts to Shetland, the new equipment was housed in former Second World War radar station buildings on Fair Isle.<ref>See ''Bringing Colour to the Shetland Isles'', by Gerry L Sanderson, 1976, page 48, available on-line [http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/bringing_colour_to_the_Shetland_isles.pdf here] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925013840/http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/bringing_colour_to_the_Shetland_isles.pdf |date=25 September 2006}}.</ref> Many television signals are relayed from Orkney to Shetland (rather than from the Scottish mainland) via Orkney's Keelylang Hill transmitter station.

=== Wartime military role ===
During the Second World War, the [[Royal Navy]] built two [[radar station]]s on top of Ward Hill ({{convert|712|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=or}}), which operated from February and March 1940 and played an important role in detecting German bombers approaching Scapa Flow on 8 and 10 April 1940.<ref>{{cite book |last=Brown |first=Ian |title=Radar in Scotland 1938–46 |date=2022 |pages=126–131 |publisher=Society of Antiquaries of Scotland |isbn=978-1-90833-221-9}}</ref> The ruined buildings and [[Nissen hut]]s are still present. A cable-operated [[narrow-gauge railway]] lies disused; it was once used to send supplies up to the summit of Ward Hill.

On 17 January 1941, a German [[Heinkel He 111]] bomber, modified as a meteorological aircraft, crashed on the island; wreckage remains on the crash-site.<ref name="crashSitesScotland" /> The aircraft had been flying on a routine weather reconnaissance flight from its base at [[Oldenburg (city)|Oldenburg]] in Germany. It was intercepted by RAF [[Hawker Hurricane]] fighters from [[No. 3 Squadron RAF|3 Squadron]], based at [[RAF Sumburgh]]; both of the aircraft's engines were damaged and several of the five crew were wounded. The pilot managed to make a crash-landing on Fair Isle to avoid ditching his crippled aircraft in the sea. Two crew died and three survived. The dead crew were buried in the island's churchyard; the survivors were detained by the islanders and remained for several days until weather conditions allowed them to be taken off the island by means of the Lerwick Lifeboat.<ref name="crashSitesScotland">{{cite web |url=http://www.aircrashsites-scotland.co.uk/heinkel-he111_fair-isle.htm |title=Deutsche Luftwaffe Heinkel He111 H-2 / T5+EU |publisher=Air Crash Sites Scotland |access-date=10 April 2013 |archive-date=18 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818054120/http://aircrashsites-scotland.co.uk/heinkel-he111_fair-isle.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Before the Lerwick boat reached the island, two separate boats from Orkney ran aground while making their way to collect the prisoners of war.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 June 2021 |title=The story of Fair Isle's Heinkel |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2007/11/fair-isle-shetland-islanders |access-date=3 February 2022 |website=New Statesman |language=en-US}}</ref>

The South Light was a target. During raids, the wife of an assistant keeper was killed in 1941 and their daughter was injured; in 1942, the wife of another keeper and their daughter also died in a raid.<ref>{{cite web |title=FAIR ISLE SOUTH LIGHTHOUSE |url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/58006 |publisher=Imperial War Museums |access-date=1 November 2020}}</ref>

On 22 July 1941, [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire]] X5401 piloted by [[Flying Officer]] M. D. S. Hood crash-landed on Fair Isle returning from a reconnaissance mission over [[Ålesund]], Norway. The pilot recalled the crash site to be adjacent to the track which crossed the airstrip. The cause of the crash proved to be a leak of coolant, which resulted in the engine overheating. The aircraft was recovered and flew again, and the pilot survived the war.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World War II – Page 3 of 7 |url=http://sumburghairport.notshetland.com/crash-log/world-war-ii/3/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=Sumburgh Airport Archives |date=3 September 2017 |language=en-US |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922170007/http://sumburghairport.notshetland.com/crash-log/world-war-ii/3/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="MySite">{{cite book |last1=Earl |first1=David |last2=Dobson |first2=Peter |title=Lost to the Isles |date=2013 |pages=173 |publisher=Hanover Publications |isbn=978-0-9523928-4-2}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Fair Isle - West cliffs.jpg|thumb|right|150px|West cliffs, looking southwest towards Malcolm's Head]]
Fair Isle is administratively part of the parish of [[Dunrossness]], Shetland, and is roughly equidistant from [[Sumburgh Head]], some {{convert|38|km|abbr=on}} to the northeast on the [[Mainland, Shetland|Mainland]] of Shetland<ref>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/102939/details/unknown+atlantic/ "Unknown: Atlantic"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020104609/http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/102939/details/unknown+atlantic/ |date=20 October 2012}} Canmore. Retrieved 7 January 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/shetland%20pages/shetland-fair-isle.html "Fair Isle"] Northlink Ferries. Retrieved 7 January 2012. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808074454/http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/Shetland%20Pages/shetland-fair-isle.html |date=8 August 2012}}</ref> and [[North Ronaldsay]], Orkney, some {{convert|43|km|abbr=on}} to the southwest.<ref name=OS4/> Fair Isle is {{convert|4.8|km|mi|frac=2|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|2.4|km|mi|abbr=on}} wide. It has an area of {{convert|8|km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}}, making it the tenth-largest of the Shetland Islands. It gives its name to one of the [[British Sea Areas]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fair Isle |url=http://www.fairisle.org.uk/index.htm |url-status=dead |publisher=fairisle.org.uk |access-date=9 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308175131/http://www.fairisle.org.uk/index.htm |archive-date=8 March 2008}}</ref>

Most of the islanders live in the [[Croft (land)|crofts]] on the southern half of the island, the northern half consisting of rocky [[moorland]]. The western coast consists of [[cliffs]] of up to {{convert|200|m|ft|abbr=on}} in height, Ward Hill at {{convert|217|m|ft|abbr=on}} being the highest point of the island and its only [[Lists of mountains and hills in the British Isles#Marilyns|Marilyn]]. On the eastern coast the almost detached headland of Sheep Rock rises to {{convert|132|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Smith/>

===Climate===
Fair Isle experiences an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cfb''), bordering on a [[subpolar oceanic climate]] (''Cfc''), with cool summers and mild winters. This is especially pronounced because of its location far from any sizeable landmass; Fair Isle has the smallest overall temperature range (least continental) of any weather station in the British Isles: a maximum of {{convert|22.6|C|F}} and a minimum of {{convert|-5.6|C|F}} since 1951. This 60+ year temperature span is actually smaller than many places in inland southern England will record within a given three-month period. To further illustrate how extreme the maritime moderation at Fair Isle is, a rural location near the coastline in [[Svanberga#Climate|Northern Stockholm County]] on a similar latitude in Sweden broke Fair Isle's then all-time records in both directions within a 48-hour period between 26 and 28 April 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smhi.se/data/meteorologi/ladda-ner-meteorologiska-observationer/#param=airTemperatureMinAndMaxOnceEveryDay,stations=all,stationid=98490|title=Öppna data för Svanberga A|language=sv|publisher=[[Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute]]|access-date=7 September 2019|archive-date=30 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130114545/https://www.smhi.se/data/meteorologi/ladda-ner-meteorologiska-observationer/#param=airTemperatureMinAndMaxOnceEveryDay,stations=all,stationid=98490|url-status=live}}</ref> <!-- 22.5 on 28th and -6.3 on 26th. -->

On [[2022 United Kingdom heat wave|19 July 2022]], a maximum temperature of {{convert|22.6|°C}}  was registered in Fair Isle.<ref name="ogimet">{{cite web |url=https://www.ogimet.com/cgi-bin/gsynres?ind=03008&ano=2022&mes=7&day=20&hora=0&min=0&ndays=30|title=03008: Fair Isle (United Kingdom) |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=19 July 2022 |website=ogimet.com |publisher=OGIMET |access-date=24 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2022/07/19/fair-isle-records-its-hottest-temperature-on-record |title=Fair Isle records its hottest temperature ever |last=Hirst |first=Andrew |date=19 July 2022 |website=www.shetlandtimes.co.uk |publisher=[[The Shetland Times]] |access-date=24 July 2022 |quote=}}</ref>

The lowest temperature recorded in recent years was {{convert|-4.6|C|F}} in February 2010.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Tutiempo |url=http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/FAIR_ISLE/02-2010/30080.htm |title=2010 temperature |access-date=7 November 2011 |archive-date=29 October 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201521/http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/FAIR_ISLE/02-2010/30080.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Rainfall, at under {{convert|1000|mm|in|abbr=on|0}}, is lower than one might expect for a location that is often in the main path of [[Atlantic depression]]s. This is explained by a lack of heavy [[convective rainfall]] during spring and summer months due to the absence of warm surface conditions.

Fair Isle's ocean moderation is so strong that areas on the same latitudes in the Scandinavian inland less than {{convert|1000|km|mi|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} to the east have average summer highs {{convert|2|-|3|C-change|F-change|0}} higher than Fair Isle's all-time record temperature, for example the Norwegian capital of [[Oslo]] and the Swedish capital of [[Stockholm]]. The {{convert|-5|C|F}} all-time low is uniquely mild for European locations on the [[59th parallel north]]. The winter daily means are comparable to many areas as far south in the British Isles as south-central England, because of the extreme maritime moderation. It is in hardiness zone 9b or 10a (compared to 8b for the [[Faroe Islands|Faroes]], 7b or 8a for [[Stockholm]], and 1b for parts of [[Canada]], all on or near the [[60th parallel north]]. [[Central Florida]] (at [[27th parallel north|27]]–[[28th parallel north|8 degrees north]]) has this hardiness zone.

{{Weather box
|collapsed = true
|location = Fair Isle<br>[[Location identifier#WMO station identifiers|WMO ID]]: 03008; coordinates {{coord|59.52662|N|1.63158|W|type:landmark_region:GB|name=Met Office Fair Isle|format=dms}}; elevation: {{convert|57|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}; 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–present
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 11.1
|Feb record high C = 10.5
|Mar record high C = 13.9
|Apr record high C = 12.2
|May record high C = 17.7
|Jun record high C = 18.0
|Jul record high C = 22.6
|Aug record high C = 20.2
|Sep record high C = 18.0
|Oct record high C = 15.5
|Nov record high C = 13.1
|Dec record high C = 13.1
|year record high C = 22.6
|Jan high C = 6.9
|Feb high C = 6.4
|Mar high C = 7.0
|Apr high C = 8.2
|May high C = 10.1
|Jun high C = 12.1
|Jul high C = 13.9
|Aug high C = 14.3
|Sep high C = 13.0
|Oct high C = 10.9
|Nov high C = 8.9
|Dec high C = 7.4
|year high C =
|Jan mean C = 5.2
|Feb mean C = 4.7
|Mar mean C = 5.2
|Apr mean C = 6.4
|May mean C = 8.1
|Jun mean C = 10.3
|Jul mean C = 12.1
|Aug mean C = 12.6
|Sep mean C = 11.4
|Oct mean C = 9.3
|Nov mean C = 7.3
|Dec mean C = 5.4
|year mean C =
|Jan low C = 3.5
|Feb low C = 3.0
|Mar low C = 3.4
|Apr low C = 4.6
|May low C = 6.1
|Jun low C = 8.4
|Jul low C = 10.3
|Aug low C = 10.8
|Sep low C = 9.8
|Oct low C = 7.7
|Nov low C = 5.6
|Dec low C = 3.4
|year low C =
|Jan record low C = -4.5
|Feb record low C = -5.6
|Mar record low C = -5.0
|Apr record low C = -4.1
|May record low C = -1.6
|Jun record low C = 1.5
|Jul record low C = 4.2
|Aug record low C = 4.4
|Sep record low C = 1.4
|Oct record low C = -0.9
|Nov record low C = -3.4
|Dec record low C = -4.5
|year record low C = -5.6
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 105.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 84.2
|Mar precipitation mm = 75.3
|Apr precipitation mm = 47.0
|May precipitation mm = 43.6
|Jun precipitation mm = 48.4
|Jul precipitation mm = 56.3
|Aug precipitation mm = 73.9
|Sep precipitation mm = 77.0
|Oct precipitation mm = 106.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 108.3
|Dec precipitation mm = 102.5
|year precipitation mm =
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 19.6
|Feb precipitation days = 16.4
|Mar precipitation days = 15.8
|Apr precipitation days = 12.0
|May precipitation days = 9.9
|Jun precipitation days = 9.1
|Jul precipitation days = 10.4
|Aug precipitation days = 12.1
|Sep precipitation days = 14.2
|Oct precipitation days = 18.2
|Nov precipitation days = 19.6
|Dec precipitation days = 19.8
|year precipitation days =
|Jan sun = 29.2
|Feb sun = 60.2
|Mar sun = 105.7
|Apr sun = 155.6
|May sun = 214.8
|Jun sun = 166.1
|Jul sun = 147.2
|Aug sun = 154.6
|Sep sun = 110.7
|Oct sun = 79.2
|Nov sun = 39.8
|Dec sun = 21.5
|year sun =
|source 1 = [[Met Office]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Fair Isle climate 1991–2020 |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/fair-isle#?tab=climateTables |publisher=[[Met Office]] |access-date=4 January 2022}}</ref>
|source 2 = [[Tutiempo]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Fair Isle climate 1981– |url=http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/FAIR_ISLE/30080.htm |url-status=live |access-date=8 November 2011 |publisher=TuTiempo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030173701/http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/FAIR_ISLE/30080.htm |archive-date=30 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="ogimet" />
|date=Jan 2022
}}

==Economy==
Over the centuries the island has changed hands many times. Trading links with [[Northern Europe]] are reflected in Fair Isle Haa, a traditional [[Hanseatic League|Hanseatic]] trading booth located not far from the South Harbour, traditionally used by residents of the southern part of the island. Rent was usually paid to [[absentee landlord]]s (who rarely visited) in butter, cloth and fish oil.

Fishing has always been an important industry for the island. In 1702, the Dutch, who were interested in Shetland's herring fisheries, fought a naval battle against French warships just off the island.

Fair Isle is noted for its [[woollen]] [[sweater|jumpers]], with [[Fair Isle (technique)|knitting]] forming an important source of income for the women of the islands. The principal activity for the male islanders is [[crofting]].

In January 2004, Fair Isle was granted [[Fairtrade Town|Fairtrade Island]] status.

== Bird life ==
Many rare species of bird have been found on the island, with at least 27 species found on the island that were the first British records, and is probably<ref>{{cite book |last1=Archer |first1=Mike |last2=Grantham |first2=Mark |last3=Howlett |first3=Peter |last4=Stansfield |first4=Steven |title=Bird Observatories of the British Isles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hwSypkGEg4EC&q=Bird+Observatories+of+the+British+Isles |publisher=T & AD Poyser |location=London |year=2010 |pages=163 |isbn=978-1-4081-1040-9}}</ref> the best place in [[western Europe]] to see skulking [[Siberia]]n [[passerine]]s such as [[Pechora pipit]], [[lanceolated warbler]] and [[Pallas's grasshopper warbler]]. For example, in 2015, rare birds discovered on the island included [[pallid harrier]], [[arctic warbler]], [[Moltoni's warbler]], [[booted warbler]], [[paddyfield warbler]], [[Siberian thrush]], and [[thrush nightingale]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 2015 |journal=British Birds |date=October 2016 |volume=109 |url=https://www.bbrc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/15-report.pdf |access-date=22 June 2020 |archive-date=24 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624211020/https://www.bbrc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/15-report.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> It is also home to an [[endemism|endemic]] subspecies of [[Eurasian wren]], the [[Fair Isle wren]] ''Troglodytes troglodytes fridariensis''. Fair Isle has been designated an [[Important Bird Area]] (IBA) by [[BirdLife International]] because it supports large colonies of [[seabird]]s and [[waterbird]]s, as well as being a stop-over site for migrating land birds.<ref name=bli>{{cite web |url= https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/2468 |title=Fair Isle|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2024|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 2024-09-01}}</ref>

=== Bird observatory ===
In 1948, [[George Waterston]] founded a permanent [[bird observatory]] on the island. Because of its importance as a [[bird migration]] watchpoint, it provided most of the accommodation on the island.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Okill|first1=David|first2=Deryk|last2=Shaw|year=2010|title=Bird Observatories of Britain and Ireland|contribution=Fair Isle|url=http://www.poyserbooks.com/images/Bird_Observatories_of_Britain_and_Ireland_9781408110409.pdf|editor=Archer, Mike |editor2=Grantham, Mark |editor3=Howlett, Peter |editor4=Stansfield, Steven|publisher=T & A D Poyser|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324022239/http://www.poyserbooks.com/images/Bird_Observatories_of_Britain_and_Ireland_9781408110409.pdf|archive-date=24 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first director of the observatory was [[Kenneth Williamson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/history.htm |title=The History of Fair Isle Bird Observatory |publisher=fairislebirdobs.co.uk |access-date=1 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513125312/http://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/history.htm |archive-date=13 May 2008}}</ref> It was unusual among bird observatories in providing catered, rather than hostel-style, accommodation.

In 2010, a new observatory was built: a wooden lodge of two storeys, which cost £4 million and accommodated around 30 guests.<ref name=BBC_15_March_2019>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-47569194 |title=Fair Isle fire family 'humbled' by kindness |publisher=BBC |date=15 March 2019 |access-date=15 March 2019 |archive-date=15 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315020059/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-47569194 |url-status=live}}</ref> The 2010 observatory building was destroyed by fire on 10 March 2019; the observatory's records had been digitised and were not affected.<ref name=BBC_15_March_2019 /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-47515175 |title=Fire damages Shetland's Fair Isle Bird Observatory roof |publisher=BBC News |date=10 March 2019 |access-date=10 March 2019 |archive-date=10 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310160052/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-47515175 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-47524027 |title=Vow to rebuild fire-hit Fair Isle Bird Observatory in Shetland |publisher=BBC News |date=11 March 2019 |access-date=12 March 2019 |archive-date=11 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190311213738/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-47524027 |url-status=live}}</ref> The cost of rebuilding was estimated at £7.4m.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/shetland-stars-video-plea-bring-world-leading-bird-observatory-back-life-2956810 |title=Shetland star's video plea to bring world-leading bird observatory back to life |publisher=The Scotsman |access-date=1 November 2020 |archive-date=5 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105080314/https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/shetland-stars-video-plea-bring-world-leading-bird-observatory-back-life-2956810 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
[[File:Fairislesunset.jpg|thumb|left|Sunset over the South Lighthouse]]
Other than the restaurant of the bird observatory, and its small evening-only bar, there are no pubs or restaurants on the island. There is one shop, one school and a community hall used for meetings and social events. There is no police station on the island; the main station is [[Lerwick]] and a section station is located in the village of [[Brae]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Shetland Island Area Commander |url=https://www.scotland.police.uk/your-community/highland-and-islands/shetland-island/ |url-status=live |publisher=Poileas Alba |access-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107144401/https://www.scotland.police.uk/your-community/highland-and-islands/shetland-island/ |archive-date=7 November 2020}}</ref>

Passenger service to the island is provided by [[SIC Ferries]] on the vessel ''[[Good Shepherd IV]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Ferry Timetables |url=https://www.shetland.gov.uk/ferries/timetable |url-status=live |publisher=Shetland Islands Council |access-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413104550/https://www.shetland.gov.uk/ferries/timetable |archive-date=13 April 2021}}</ref> or by a nine-seat passenger aeroplane from [[Tingwall Airport]] near Lerwick, operated by regional carrier [[Directflight]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Resources, Fair Isle |url=https://www.shetland-heritage.co.uk/downloads/resources/geographicleaflets/Fair_Isle.pdf |url-status=live |publisher=Shetland Heritage |access-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918235130/https://www.shetland-heritage.co.uk/downloads/resources/geographicleaflets/Fair_Isle.pdf |archive-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>

===Electricity supply===
Fair Isle is not connected to the [[National Grid (Great Britain)|National Grid]]; electricity is provided by the Fair Isle Electricity Company. From the 1980s,<ref name="BBC-12102018">{{cite news |last=Johnston |first=John |title=The glory of 24-hour power finally reaches Fair Isle |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-45812273 |url-status=live |publisher=BBC News |date=12 October 2018 |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012050038/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-45812273 |archive-date=12 October 2018}}</ref> power was generated by two [[diesel generator]]s and two [[wind turbine]]s. Diesel generators were automatically switched off if wind turbines provided sufficient power. Excess capacity was distributed through a separate network for home heating, with remote frequency-sensitive programmable relays controlling water heaters and storage heaters in the buildings of the community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fairisle.org.uk/FIECo/renewed/control.htm|title=Fair Isle Renewed|work=Network Control|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042621/http://www.fairisle.org.uk/FIECo/renewed/control.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> Following the installation of three wind turbines, combined with solar panels and batteries, in a £3.5&nbsp;million scheme completed in October 2018, the island has had a 24-hour electricity supply.<ref name="BBC-12102018" />

===Communication===
Fair Isle is home to two [[GSM]] 900&nbsp;MHz base stations operated by [[Vodafone UK|Vodafone]] and [[O2 (United Kingdom)|O2]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/ |title=Sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk reference 6840 and 6983 |access-date=5 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207163802/http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/ |archive-date=7 December 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On 16 April 2019, an [[EE (telecommunications)|EE]] 4G antenna was turned on by [[Openreach]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Cope|first=Chris|date=18 April 2019|title='Life-changing' 4G arrives in Fair Isle|url=https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2019/04/18/life-changing-4g-arrives-in-fair-isle/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418155845/https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2019/04/18/life-changing-4g-arrives-in-fair-isle/|archive-date=18 April 2019|access-date=14 April 2021|website=Shetland News}}</ref> In 2023, the island became connected by a [[Submarine communications cable|fibre submarine cable]], as a spur off a cable linking Shetland and Orkney. This supplements and upgrades the long-distance microwave link opened in 1979.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fair Isle: BT Microwave Sites |url=https://www.dgsys.co.uk/btmicrowave/sites/27.php |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=www.dgsys.co.uk}}</ref> Full fibre services then became available to all properties on the island.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Mark |date=2023-12-28 |title=Full Fibre Rollout to Remote Fair Isle Sets New Openreach Record |url=https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2023/12/full-fibre-rollout-to-remote-fair-isle-sets-new-openreach-record.html |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=ISPreview UK}}</ref>

===Emergency services===
Fair Isle has a [[fire station]] equipped with a single fire appliance, and staffed by a [[retained fire crew]] of local volunteers. It was originally part of the [[Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service]], which was absorbed into the national [[Scottish Fire and Rescue Service]] on 1 April 2013. A locally organised volunteer fire brigade was formed in 1996 by island residents. This was later absorbed into the statutory fire service, with professional training provided, and the local service designated a retained fire crew. The first purpose-built [[fire engine]] was stationed to the island in 2002.<ref>History of the service and the appliance recorded in [http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/new-fire-stations-opened-on-fair-isle-and-whalsay-1-2837231 The Scotsman] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321065017/http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/new-fire-stations-opened-on-fair-isle-and-whalsay-1-2837231 |date=21 March 2014}} newspaper.</ref>

In October 2011, a contract for the construction of a £140,000 purpose-built fire station was awarded to Shetland company Ness Engineering,<ref>Contract award and value recorded in [http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2011/10/31/work-to-begin-over-the-winter-on-long-overdue-fair-isle-fire-station/ The Shetland Times] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321073248/http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2011/10/31/work-to-begin-over-the-winter-on-long-overdue-fair-isle-fire-station/ |date=21 March 2014}} newspaper.</ref> who completed the construction and equipping of the fire station, including its connection to the island power and water supplies, and the installation of a rainwater harvesting system within the building.<ref>Construction and design outlined by [http://www.nessengineering.com/fairislefire Ness Engineering] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321064307/http://www.nessengineering.com/fairislefire |date=21 March 2014}}.</ref> The new fire station was officially opened on 14 March 2013.<ref>Link to photographs of the [http://fair-isle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/the-opening-of-fair-isles-new-fire.html opening ceremony] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321072718/http://fair-isle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/the-opening-of-fair-isles-new-fire.html |date=21 March 2014}}.</ref>

There is a small [[His Majesty's Coastguard|Coastguard]] cliff-rescue team on the island. Like the fire service, the Coastguard is a retained (volunteer) emergency service.<ref>[http://fair-isle.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/hm-coastguard-metal-ceremony-service.html Photographs] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321071301/http://fair-isle.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/hm-coastguard-metal-ceremony-service.html |date=21 March 2014}} of Fair Isle Coastguard team members receiving long-service awards.</ref> The Fair Isle Coastguard cliff rescue team were the first British Coastguard unit to be equipped with a [[quad ATV]].<ref>The quad is reported, with photographs, [http://fair-isle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/photos-about-fair-isle-december-2013.html here] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321070101/http://fair-isle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/photos-about-fair-isle-december-2013.html |date=21 March 2014}}.</ref> The quad is painted in HM Coastguard livery, with reflective [[Battenburg markings]] and has an optional equipment trailer.

There are no emergency medical services on Fair Isle. Routine medical care is provided by a community nurse. In the event of accident and emergency the community nurse provides [[first aid]] until casualties can be removed to Shetland Mainland, usually by helicopter air ambulance. In severe weather conditions or life-threatening emergencies, the Coastguard helicopter can undertake the patient evacuation.<ref>An example of such a [http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/newsandpublications/press-releases.htm?id=EDA198123A531C6A&m=4&y=2009 medical evacuation] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321071937/http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/newsandpublications/press-releases.htm?id=EDA198123A531C6A&m=4&y=2009 |date=21 March 2014}}.</ref>

==Transport==

===Air===
[[File:Directflight Britten-Norman BN-2B-20 Islander at Fair Isle.jpg|thumb|left|A [[Britten-Norman Islander]] of [[Directflight]] at [[Fair Isle Airport]] preparing for a flight to [[Tingwall Airport]] in April 2011]]
[[Fair Isle Airport]] serves the island with flights to [[Tingwall Airport]] near [[Lerwick]], and weekly to [[Sumburgh Airport]], both on [[Shetland]] Mainland. Flights to [[Kirkwall Airport|Kirkwall]] on [[Orkney]] were scheduled to begin in September 2017, provided by [[Loganair]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/new-fair-isle-flights-from-orkney-launched-by-loganair-1-4401941 |title=New Fair Isle flights from Orkney launched by Loganair |newspaper=The Scotsman |first=Alastair |last=Dalton |date=23 March 2017 |access-date=9 June 2017 |archive-date=20 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420074042/http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/new-fair-isle-flights-from-orkney-launched-by-loganair-1-4401941 |url-status=live}}</ref> Private aircraft use the facility and scheduled flights arrive twice daily, three days a week. There is a small terminal building providing limited services. Fire cover is provided by the island fire service.

There are two [[helipad]]s on the island; one at the South Fair Isle lighthouse and used by [[Northern Lighthouse Board]] and HM Coastguard helicopters, and the other at the North Fair Isle lighthouse.

===Sea===
There are two main harbours, north harbour and south harbour; both formed naturally, being sheltered by the headland of Bu Ness. They are separated by a narrow [[isthmus]] of gravel. The north harbour is the main route for goods, provisions, and [[Royal Mail]] postal services arriving at and departing from the island. The ferry ''[[Good Shepherd IV]]'' plies between Fair Isle north harbour and [[Grutness]] on Shetland Mainland. In summer only, the ferry also runs from Lerwick once every two weeks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tiny Scots island with population of just 65 self-isolating in bid to beat coronavirus |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/tiny-scots-isle-population-just-21783107 |url-status=live |work=Daily Record |date=31 March 2020 |access-date=2 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404090320/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/tiny-scots-isle-population-just-21783107 |archive-date=4 April 2020}}</ref>

===Road===
A road connects the populated areas of the island, along its full length.

==Education==
Fair Isle has one primary school, with two classrooms. There is a full-time head teacher, and a part-time assistant teacher.<ref>School [http://www.fairisle.shetland.sch.uk website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830003047/http://www.fairisle.shetland.sch.uk/ |date=30 August 2018}}.</ref> The number of pupils varies over time, but has generally been between five and ten, with three pupils as of 2021. Islanders of secondary school age are generally educated off-island, on Shetland Mainland, where they board in halls of residence, returning to Fair Isle during holiday periods.<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news |title=Scotland's most remote school seeks new headteacher |date=27 August 2021 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-58322157 |url-status=live |publisher=BBC News |access-date=28 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827233206/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-58322157 |archive-date=27 August 2021}}</ref>

==Religion==
Christianity is the only formally organised religion on Fair Isle. There are two churches, one [[Methodism|Methodist]], and one [[Church of Scotland]] (Presbyterian). The Methodist Church has a resident non-stipendiary minister, who reports to a full-time minister on Shetland Mainland.<ref>Details of ministers on the [http://www.methodistchurchinshetland.org.uk Shetland Methodist website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803045530/http://www.methodistchurchinshetland.org.uk/ |date=3 August 2017}}</ref> The Methodist Church was constructed in 1886.<ref>Date referenced at [http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/fairisle/church/ Undiscovered Scotland] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321065708/http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/fairisle/church/ |date=21 March 2014}}.</ref>

The Church of Scotland church was built in 1892. The Church of Scotland parish which contains Fair Isle is Dunrossness, which is linked with Sandwick, Cunningsburgh and Quarff parishes. The congregation's minister is Reverend Charles H. Greig.

==Conservation designations==
Most of the island is designated by [[NatureScot]] as both a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSI) and a [[Special Area of Conservation]] (SCA).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/620|title=Fair Isle SSSI|access-date=12 October 2020|publisher=NatureScot|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125221037/https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/620|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/8253|title=Fair Isle SAC|access-date=12 October 2020|publisher=NatureScot|archive-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902095446/https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/8253|url-status=live}}</ref> The island and its surrounding seas are also designated by NatureScot as a [[Special Protection Area]] (SPA) due to the important bird species present.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/8496|title=Fair Isle SPA|access-date=12 October 2020|publisher=NatureScot|archive-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902095446/https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/8496|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2016 the seas around Fair Isle were designated as a [[Marine Protected Areas in Scotland|Marine Protected Area]] (MPA).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/10499|title=Fair Isle MPA(DR)|access-date=12 October 2020|publisher=NatureScot|archive-date=16 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816095231/https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/10499|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2019 it is the only MPA in Scotland to be designated specifically as a "Demonstration and Research" MPA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/progress-report/2018/12/marine-protected-area-network-2018-report-scottish-parliament/documents/00544750-pdf/00544750-pdf/govscot%3Adocument/00544750.pdf|title=Scottish MPA network – Parliamentary Report|publisher=Scottish Government|date=December 2018|access-date=2 September 2019|page=28|archive-date=18 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818132520/https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/progress-report/2018/12/marine-protected-area-network-2018-report-scottish-parliament/documents/00544750-pdf/00544750-pdf/govscot:document/00544750.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The aims of this MPA designation are defined as being:
{{Poem quote|To demonstrate and research the use of an ecosystem approach, which includes the following –
a) the environmental monitoring of seabirds and of other mobile marine species;
b) the environmental monitoring of the factors which influence the populations of seabirds and of other mobile species;
c) the development and implementation of a local sustainable shellfish fishery;
d) the development of a research programme into local fisheries which includes research on species composition, size, distribution and temporal and spatial changes in fish stocks;
e) based upon the research undertaken under sub-paragraph (d), the development of a sustainable-use management programme for local fisheries.|Scottish Government<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/progress-report/2018/12/marine-protected-area-network-2018-report-scottish-parliament/documents/00544750-pdf/00544750-pdf/govscot%3Adocument/00544750.pdf|title=Scottish MPA network – Parliamentary Report|publisher=Scottish Government|date=December 2018|access-date=2 September 2019|page=45|archive-date=18 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818132520/https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/progress-report/2018/12/marine-protected-area-network-2018-report-scottish-parliament/documents/00544750-pdf/00544750-pdf/govscot:document/00544750.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

== Notable people ==
* [[Ewen Thomson]] (born 1971 in Fair Isle), a Scottish [[luthier]], specialising in violins, violas and cellos
* [[Inge Thomson]] (born 1974 in Fair Isle), a singer and multi-instrumentalist
* [[Chris Stout]] (born 1976), a Scottish fiddle/violin player from Shetland; grew up in Fair Isle

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Good Shepherd IV at Fair Isle.jpg|Good Shepherd IV at Fair Isle
File:North Haven, Fair Isle 1974 - geograph.org.uk - 871058.jpg|[[North Haven (harbour)|North Haven]], Fair Isle, 1974
File:Da Sherriff - geograph.org.uk - 344962.jpg|Da Sherriff
File:100kW Aerogenerator, Fair Isle - geograph.org.uk - 9129.jpg|100&nbsp;kW Aerogenerator, Fair Isle
File:Fair isle station.jpg|Fair isle fire station
File:Fair Isle Kirk interior - geograph.org.uk - 893323.jpg|Fair Isle Kirk interior
File:Burkle, Fair Isle - geograph.org.uk - 3151098.jpg|Burkle, Fair Isle{{dash}}Croft houses
</gallery>

==See also==
{{portal|Scottish islands|Scotland|Engineering}}
* [[List of lighthouses in Scotland]]
* [[List of Northern Lighthouse Board lighthouses]]
* [[Foula]]
* [[List of Shetland islands]]

== References ==
{{reflist|33em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Fair Isle}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* [http://www.fairisle.org.uk/ Fair Isle community website]
* [http://fair-isle.blogspot.com/ Fair Isle Blog]
* [http://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/ Fair Isle bird observatory]
* [http://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html Latest bird sightings]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061011191931/http://www.fairisle.org.uk/FIECo/index.htm Fair Isle Electricity Company Ltd]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060524161039/http://www.fairisle.org.uk/egef/index.htm Details of its airport]
* [http://www.originart.eu/shetland/south/fairisle/fair_map.html Photographic tour of the island]
* [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4866217 NPR Story on Fair Isle]
* [http://www.nlb.org.uk/LighthouseLibrary/Main/ Northern Lighthouse Board]

{{Shetland}}
{{Islands of Scotland}}
{{Lighthouses of the Northern Lighthouse Board}}
{{Marine Protected Areas in Scotland}}
{{Authority control | additional=Q17851868,Q17851293}}

[[Category:Fair Isle| ]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Shetland]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of Shetland]]
[[Category:Birdwatching sites in Scotland]]
[[Category:National Trust for Scotland properties]]
[[Category:Shipping Forecast areas]]
[[Category:Bird observatories in Scotland]]
[[Category:Islands of Shetland]]
[[Category:Underwater diving sites in Scotland]]
[[Category:Marine Protected Areas of Scotland]]
[[Category:Special Areas of Conservation in Scotland]]
[[Category:Special Protection Areas in Scotland]]