Accommodation and Travel
Normally you have to book your summer accommodation and travel into Fair Isle the year before. But because of the pandemic travel restrictions, things were a bit different this year. I was attracted to Fair Isle Knitting Holidays for obvious reasons! I wasn’t quite ready to delve into lessons on machine knitting but Marie and Thomas were happy to have me stay at their small B&B as things on the isle were tentatively opening up. It’s best to book your flight or boat passage to Fair Isle itself first, before booking your accommodation. And best to have your Fair Isle break at the start of your holiday in case the weather closes in and your mode of travel can’t depart.
Things to bring
So what should you bring to Fair Isle? A good pair of walking shoes and binoculars are a must even if you’re not a big bird watcher. It was fabulous to be able to magnify the cliffs and sea arches as well as the puffins and sheep! A woolly jumper, hat/headband and scarf or snood are all wise things to bag pack anytime of year for Shetland as the sea can bring a chilly breeze. All of these ‘wirset‘ delights can of course be bought in Fair Isle. But jumper wise they only have a limited stock of sizes.
What you don’t need to bring
Food is something you don’t need to bring as the shop is well stocked with so much variety. You can also contact the shop in advance and have items ordered in, to be sure of any specifics you’d like. The shop is closed at the moment on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Open the other days except during 1-2pm for lunch. When I visited on the Wednesday morning with Marie and Rachel there was a wide selection of fresh fruit and vegetables including asparagus, nectarines, kiwi and lettuce. As well as your other staples like milk, bread and pasta. I even saw a jar of dried chanterelle mushrooms! The ferry had come in the night before with all the fresh supplies.
Packing Light
So what else do you need to bring? Try and pack as lightly as possible as the maximum baggage allowance is 15kg on the small 6 seater Islander plane. (see the photo above) Best to have a shower proof jacket and trousers as the weather can be unpredictable, if it doesn’t rain you might get damp mist. If it’s beautifully dry you can use your jacket as a picnic rug!
Things to see
Plan a few things you want to see depending on your interests. I organised a visit to the George Waterston Museum, (the only museum on the island) Walks to both the south light and north light. The 2 lighthouses were both established in 1892 and were the work of brothers David A. Stevenson and Charles Stevenson, Edinburgh. I was lucky enough to see lots of puffins and even a short eared owl near the north light. I also had an inspirational and ‘heady’ shopping stop at Fair Isle Made in Fair Isle . More on that in a later blog post! Not everyone was open to the public when I visited so check before you travel.
I was able to see the island more widely by car and am so grateful to Rachel from Barkland Croft for being my ‘chauffer’. You can hire a car from Jimmy Stout on the island if you’d like some basic wheels. This year the museum is opening by request because of the low visitor numbers. There are several phone numbers on the call list so I’m sure you will find someone to open up and show you around. You might just need to give them a little notice in case they are in the middle of sheep or knitting work. The call list is on display in the shop and on the outside of the museum plus your accommodation provider will know who to call. With the population on Fair Isle at the moment just over 40 people, everyone knows everyone and who to contact for what.
Keep a look out for part 2 of my Fair Isle blog series. Can’t tell you how many parts there will be yet! I don’t know myself! 🙂
Let me know what you thought in the comments below to help me know if I’m on the right track. 🙂
Laure Stern says:
Love this. Not only am I knitter but avid reader if mysteries by Ann Cleves. One day I hope to visit but until then I will read your fun blog!
Lesley Cleveland says:
Janette, wonderful start. Please continue with all your observations. I spent three weeks going around Shetland but couldn’t get to Fair Isle in 2019. So it is lovely to get your stories and take on it. Thank you so much!
Sherry L. Krebs says:
So lovely to hear about your experience. Thanks for sharing and bringing us along in spirit🎉
Ricki Isralowitz says:
Thank you Janette,
I was surprised to learn you had never been before, how was the flight?? Could you have gone by ferry?? Waiting to hear what you learned and taught and how you brought your purchases home.
Lenore says:
Great blog Janette. I hope to have the opportunity in the future to use your travel tips to take a visit to Fair Isle. Top of my list would be a knitting workshop if available and to see the puffins. Look forward to part 2. Xx❤️🌺
Nicky Traill says:
It’s good for travellers to know what to expect and what to bring with you. Especially on such a remote island as its not the same as going to mainland. I love this blog as it is written well without an overload of information. Thank you Janette . Where next? Foula maybe? x
Lorrie says:
Hi Janette. Enjoyed your post and look forward to more! Have a wonderful day. Lorraine 🌻🌻🌻
Susan says:
Wonderful blog! I really enjoy reading about Fair Isle and your experiences, so I will stayed tuned for more. Thank you.
Janette Budge says:
Thank you Susan