Fair Isle: 2020

Thursday, October 08, 2020

One Word about Fair Isle.

Together

Warm

Home

Healing

Spirituality

Remembered

Finding

Foraged

Resting

Reflection

View

Shadow

Building

Floating

Last

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Fair Isle Isolation! "Self-catering"

New! Fair Isle Isolation! Self-Catering at the Auld Haa Guesthouse is a safe and wise option for short term and traveling visitors. As you can see in the video. Self-catering guests will have:

Separate entrance
1 or 2 bedrooms
Separate bathroom
Kitchenette.

At the moment Self-catering is 70 pounds a night for a single room.

Compared to 100 pounds a night including meals.

Everything is a bit new, bookings will be on a case to case basis.

The new arrangement allows for long term guests willing to do their own thing, which could be useful for Winter artists in residence. I might even make arrangements to share/rent part of my Lighthouse Artist Studio.

The Basic Guesthouse Info:

Auld Haa Guest House - Fair Isle - Shetland Islands - Scotland

A registered historic building and landmark

owned by the National Trust for Scotland.

Historic charm warms the Auld Haa, originally built for the laird of the island in the year 1700. A gathering place that has shown hospitality to many travelers, notably Sir Walter, who visited here in 1814, he was interested in the Islands history and the Spanish Armada shipwreck, the El Gran Griffin of 1588.

Fair Isle's First Heligoland Bird Trap Built at the Auld Haa House - 1949

Fair Isle Aerial Photography

The Auld Haa is close to the Museum, the South Harbor all waiting to be explored. In view off the South Lighthouse, built by Stevenson in 1892, the light shines in the window at night. Make sure to find time to golf the humble but challenging Fair Isle Lighthouse Keepers Golf Course, Watch a few and make a few birdies at the same time. The Auld Haa has great views from the front garden, made even more amazing if you have the chance to see whales or a rare bird species. Keep a lookout for passing ships as Gannets plunge into the shimmering Sea.

View from the plane.

Accommodations

Two small but charming rooms with shared bath, access to the dining room,
living room, Garden & Wireless Internet.

One large size bed in each room, very luxurious for one…

made to comfortably sleeps two. Shared bathroom.

♦ Price includes Breakfast, Dinner & Dessert ♦

No Lunch

Food is bought at full retail from Stackhoull Store. Supporting another Fair Isle business as well.

You can pay this much for just a room most places in Britain.
And we are the most remote! not surprising most things cost more here.

1 person, 1 room - £100.00

2 persons, 1 room - £160.00

The Auld Haa has two guestrooms and a third room if necessary, to accommodate children, students, stranded day-trippers, and desperate birdwatchers when a rare bird is about...
I may find a bed for you. So give Tommy a call. 01595 760 349

If you want Student Rates, (25 or under with student ID.)
Woofing or can help around the house and garden let me know.
Maybe we can work something out?
{Requires a Video Interview}

*

This is not a fancy Guesthouse! no lace doilies here.
This is staying in a weird artist home full of curious art and objects.
Be warned the Auld Haa is run by an independent wild man,
the type of person that would live on a remote island.

I run the Guesthouse mostly alone,
or sometimes with help from my son or another Islander.

Family-style meals at a shared table.
A very relaxed atmosphere.
The house cleaning could be better I know!
Most people think it is quite an experience, to say the least.

I have been welcoming guests to my home since 2007.

No one has died yet, but a few almost from laughing.

Your Host at the "Haa"

Son Henry & Tommy
"old picture"

Henry is not here much anymore now that he has been off to school or China!
Then Dundee University in the Autumn 2020

So it is mostly just me as the host these days.

Tommy is very creative in the kitchen with culinary inspirations from Asia, Europe, and the Americas, hope you like to eat! The Auld Haa Chocolate Cake is legendary... Whenever possible we serve local vegetables from our own garden, fresh fish, and local game. All guests are accommodated with likes & dislikes, allergies, ways of life. etc. Just make sure Tommy knows if you like Hot! or Not.

I don't supply or sell booze.

You can get wine, beer or spirits at the local shop or bring it with you.

Get some for me too! You are welcome to drink it here in moderation.

Sparkling Pink Sunset

It's in the air, you'll love it here.

My Oil Painting of the Auld Haa House from the South Harbour

South Harbour

Fair Isle Hill Lamb - Free Range Shetland Breed

Puffins are present on Fair Isle, May till the first week in August.

Phone # 01595 760 349

From USA # 011 44 1595 760 349

Auld Haa Guesthouse

Fair Isle, Shetland Islands

Scotland, UK. ZE2 9J

email: tommyartgallery@yahoo.com

Tommy's Fair Isle Blog: fair-isle.blogspot.com

Like the Auld Haa Guesthouse on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/726985530656495/?fref=ts

I have seen Orcas and whales from my front door.
It happens... but not every day or year. good luck!

We see many a passing ships, few as nice as this one.

Island Tractor at Harvest Time

Puffins & Sheep Rock - Fair Isle

The cliffs at the North Lighthouse - Fair Isle

Seal Pup South Harbor

Beware of the Alligators

Fair Isle Facts

1. Truly the most remote inhabited island in the UK.

2. Population about 50 to 60 year-round residents

3. Population about 50,000 summering Puffins

4. World Famous as the origin of Fair Isle knitwear

5. The island is owned by The National Trust for Scotland

6. Important location for breading Seabirds & migratory species

7. 28 new species for Britain orthogonal records

8. Holder of the European diploma for environmental living

9. Recognized as one of the most scenic places in Britain

10. Shetlands 2nd busiest international port due to private yachts

11. Fair Isle is about 1 1/2 by 3 miles in size

12. The only island for 50 miles between Orkney and Shetland

Auld Haa House photographed with the Aurora / Northern Lights in the night, lit by a full Moon.
(8 second exposure - Jan. 3rd, 2015 - Fair Isle)

Santa visits every year but I'll suggest April through October.

* Open all year round *

Ask Tommy for availability and reservations,
phone 01595-760-349

Friday, August 07, 2020

Summer Romance

While Puffins are having their Summer Romances.

I'm certainly not!

At what age did the idea of a Summer Romance die with you? Puffins can live for 30 to 40 years having Summer Romances often with the same partner year after year. When mid-August comes, they both go out to Sea with all the other Puffins scattered to the winds, living apart until next Spring. This works for them somehow? I'm just saying you can learn stuff from watching wildlife. Though for me personally, the island has no suitable mate, the island is perfect for hopeless romantics looking to live a more authentic lifestyle.

Just look at some of my photos from the past couple of weeks. enjoy!

Spending time with Puffins is one of the great joys I have had during all the isolation and distancing. I am trying to spend as much time as I can to enjoy the quirky cuteness of these wonderful creatures. The Puffins are leaving soon and I'm feeling an anticipated loss already.

A Good Catch is Hard to Find!