Do you want to live on Fair Isle? Barkland Croft to Let.

Barkland Croft - Fair Isle

 A 4 bedroom home suitable for a family wanting to work the land. 

While also embracing island life and interaction in the small community

(these photo were taken yesterday afternoon)

Living On the most remote inhabited Island in Britain has it's challenges, but also offers great rewards in many ways for the right minded people who take up the adventure.

TO LET - circa £500 per annum To Apply, please write to:  The National Trust for Scotland, Balnain House, Inverness, IV3 5HR  by 15th November for further information and application details. Or direct general enquiries by email to Lettings@nts.org.uk Barkland Croft - Fair Isle This National Trust for Scotland owned croft will be available to let under crofting tenure around Spring 2015. The associated croft house has four bedrooms, good out buildings and sits on 10.5 hectare of croft land with a share in the common grazings. Do you have the appropriate skill set and ability to run a croft in this marginal but exceptional location while also contributing to the community of around 55 people? If you are familiar with crofting and have a secondary vocation which is transportable to this location and / or are willing and qualified to turn your hand to other work which becomes available from time to time i.e. deck hand on boat, airstrip fire crew, various trade works such as electrical, plumbing, building etc then crofting on Fair Isle may well be for you. If you are not familiar with crofting please speak with the Crofters Commission or visit their website in order to get background information prior to seriously considering an application. Links:  www.crofterscommission.org.uk/index.htm   andwww.fairisle.org.uk No. of bedrooms 4 Parking Yes Furnished/Unfurnished Unfurnished Garden Yes Pets By Permission Council tax A Date available Spring 2015

link to National Trust for Scotland: http://www.nts.org.uk/Lettings/Available/?utm_content=buffer1d9ff&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Barkland Croft viewed from the North Raeve cliffs above Hjukni Geo.

This croft is now rented...
(as of June, 2015)

The contact info is still good if you would like to find out is there is a new opportunity.

A walk in good light.

South Lighthouse

 The late afternoon light was looking good outside, seeing I had no guest an usually stuck in the kitchen preparing dinner at this time of day I decided to go for a walk with my camera. It was lovely, even though it was quite windy I stayed out until after sunset.

Looking west to the Atlantic

Auld Haa House

The Fair Isle Community

Skaddan Pool

Da Keel & Skerries

Love on the rocks...

A sunset is something that is best shared... so tonight I share it on my blog...

In the 2 hours I spent walking around from the Auld Haa to the South Lighthouse and back...
 I did not see another soul.

Oh yeah, there was a Grey Cheeked Thrush this morning...
A rare North American bird blown over in the recent gale.

Fair Isle in Photographs by Kirstie Mackin

Fair Isle in Photographs by Kirstie Mackin

The Michael Orerod Travel Award Winner 2014

 The unique vision of Fair Isle will be on exhibition at the Mandela Gallery at Newcastle College's School of Art and Design on Rye Hill Campus, Scotswood Road from October 23rd to November 7th. Coinciding with the Newcastle Photograph Festival a must see for anyone in the area who has a Fair Isle connection. The images have been closely guarded prior to the opening night preview on Thursday the 23rd - 6 'til 8 PM and will be open to the public the following day.

For more exhibition info: contact the Newcastle Photograph Department - 0191 200 4216

 Kirstie Mackin embracing the Fair Isle fashion as well as the scenery.

Fair Isle wishes you good luck with your exhibition 

and hopes to see you again someday.

Rare Birds for Fair Isle.

Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla 

The Firecrest is a very rare bird on Fair Isle. This was until now my Fair Isle Bogie Bird.
It was great to catch up with this stunning little species.

Red Throated Pipit Anthus cervinus

Red-Throated Pipits are rare all over Britian, and quite red in the throat for an Autumn bird.

Red-Breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva
no red? because it's a first winter or female bird.

Fulmar

Fair Isle Kirk - Church of Scotland

Blue Tit! rare on Fair Isle (common elsewhere in Britain)

Starling & Female Blackcap

Long-eared Owl Asio otus

Treecreeper Certhia familiaris
also very rare on Fair Isle... as are trees.

Male Blackcap

Barn Owl Tyto alba
Very rare on Fair Isle... last time one was seen on Fair Isle it was 1958...

The Fair Isle Kirk & Sheep Rock.

Yellow

Being the final Sheep Hill or Hill Caa of the Autumn most of the sheep had been marked a week ago on the first go around. All the sheep staying on the hill have been marked with a spot of yellow spray after being dosed. For something different and fun I used the colour select feature on my camera. This feature shoots black & white images adding one other colour you select. I selected "Yellow". The colour is also seen in the boots and clothing, grey and yellow make a sort of green in the grass. The results are quite unique for me, and I have been taking photos of these events for 8 years now. I wonder which photo you like best? 

Yellow...

 Full Colour for Comparison...

Congratulations to Fair Isle's newest grandfather!
an all the Riddiford family everywhere. cheers!