June 29 - it is a Fair Isle!

Fair Isle too was a wonderful and remote place, inhabited by just 55 people. I wandered on my own enjoying the quiet, the flowers and the views out of the sea. I came across an old building, perhaps once a school, that is now a memorial centre and museum.  The collection on display covers Fair Isle’s fascinating social history, fishing and crofting culture, natural history and archaeology. Sadly, I didn't have enough time to explore it all but there were interesting displays of wool processing before it is made into the world-famous Fair Isle patterned knitwear. They have plenty of orders made well in advance (the wool is a bit too prickly for me but it is fairly weather-proof).  In the meantime, Lindsay was off looking for birds - and he saw plenty. He also visited the lighthouse at the end of the road. At one time, he inadvertently stumbled into a big colony of ground-nesting Great Skuas and they were not happy. They screamed at him incessantly and took turns at dive-bombing him as he scrambled to find his way back to the road and safety.  The island is home to a bird observatory which attracts bird lovers from around the world - I think Lindsay would be happy to return to volunteer.

The day we arrived was a special day and a unique experience for us - it was shearing time for the ‘wild’ island sheep. That involves people from the whole island! They have domesticated farmed sheep, but there is a couple of hundred of the wild ancient breed that wander the highlands all year. Each family has responsibility for an allocated lot. The local people walk the steep hills in a big annual roundup and drive the sheep to a spot where the shearing and health checks take place. A few people had battery-operated shears, but most used hand clippers. It was fascinating to watch and the islanders were very happy for us to be there chatting to them. Many of us came away with little gifts of fresh-shorn brown wool. A wonderful experience! 

I felt a bit like Heathcliff out on the moors.

There is larger kirk on the island as well as this old chapel

There were fulmars nesting inside the ruins of this old farmhouse

Old red telephone boxes no longer with a phone service are used to house defibrillators. Great idea eh!

The island was thick with wild Angelica. The flowers are pretty

You can’t have a Scottish scene without thistles and there’s about 20 varieties. This is at the bud stage.

I love the patterning on this sweet Marsh Orchid 

Massed Sea Thrift crowd the rocks and pathways

'Eggs and Bacon' (Birdsfoot Trefoil)

The first bunch of sheep penned for shearing. They check and shear their own but look out for each other’s

This man was pulling the wool off. Looked easy.

Some used electric clippers but most used hand shears

Great care taken over this fat ewe; her fleece was thick and dense. The shearer gave me some to take home.