Merry Dancers for the Solstice!

The Northern Lights and the South Light.

 During the Winter Solstice a little extra light during the long night is a much appreciated gift. The Aurora was glowing between the clouds. The winds were very strong and shaking the camera on the tripod. Sometimes, for a few minutes the sky would blow clear enough to get a good view of the Aurora's green glow. I kept checking the sky all night, taking photos when I could. At about 1:15 am. Dec. 22nd the clouds blew past and the beaming curtains came out for about 15 minutes. I took as many photos as I could before the clouds and freezing rain blew back over the Isle hiding the fabulous display of light. It stayed covered for the rest of the night, but I was quite excited because I have been waiting months for a good showing of the Merry Dancers since I bought my new camera. The shaking winds made me hold the tripod from blowing over and kept me from the fine resolution I wanted in a photograph, but it's amazing to watch during the 10 to 20 second exposers. What a great natural spectacle at this time of year.

Beams of light in the north viewed from the Auld Haa House.

Malcolm's Head beaming.

Big Dipper over the Museum and the Chapel,
Just the green glow before the beaming and Aurora's curtains . 

Auld Haa House all a glow.

Lights over Skerry Holm and Malcolm's Head.

A Walk with Sheep Rock in a Flurry of Snow?

We had a little snow today...

Actually it was more like small pelting hail and or freezing rain, it wasn't soft & fluffy to say the least. There was enough for some coverage on the hills in the north part of the Isle. So I took a walk on Buness with my good friend Sheep Rock and my camera.

The camera's flash catches the pelting bits.

Fair Isle... always a beautiful place no matter the weather.

White Sea in the South Harbour... Video

Today's view of the South Harbour in a gale force rage as photographed from my bedroom window.

Believe it or not but the Harbour was partly sheltered by the wind direction.

          

Dec. 9th,  2014

I always say, "Witnessing a raging gale is as good as a sunny day."

           

Dec. 10th,  2014

Jumping for Joy!

A few days ago... I was jumping for the fun of it!

 It was a lovely day very little wind, I was asked to take some photographs of myself and some art with a Fair Isle landscape in the back ground for publicity for an Artist in Residency I'm doing next June. I took my tripod and camera out and about, using the timer delay I got a few reasonable photos as you will see below. But the photo above was just for fun! I clicked the button than had 10 seconds to run like mad around the pond and jump just as the camera took! After quite a few tries and getting pretty winded I got this photo... I wondered if anyone saw me from a distance up on the Rippack and thought what is that nutter doing now? but this time a year I almost never see people when I'm out walking and taking photos so I was safe. Great fun in a magical place.

Kuiperfest - Artist in Residence 2015 - Tommy H Hyndman

 Kuiperfest - the festival which never existed is back for a one-off event at a secret location.
 Somewhere in Western Europe - 19th-21st June 2015

Sheep with Starling - drawing on primed wooded panel.
My art studio is in the lighthouse compound.

Another Sunset...

A Snow Bunting - a sign the Winter birds are here...

Purple Sandpiper one of my favourite Winter friends often seen in the South Harbour.

These Fulmar having a good laugh!
I think at my expense?

another sunset... another day...

Fair Isle Fireworks - Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night - 2014

Ssssssss... Boom! Awe... 
Fireworks on Bonfire Night at the South Lighthouse.

You can really see the effect of the wind upon the smoke & fireworks in the photographs.

The big finally!

Bonfire Night...

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.