If you’ve ever thought about going to Fair Isle {the most geographically remote inhabited island in the United Kingdom} and wondered what it would be like to fly there on a teeny tiny airplane from Tingwall airport… Well, this post is for you.
This is the Tingwall airport lounge and ticketing area. 🙂
On my flight from Tingwall airport to the Fair Isle landing strip this morning there was 1 other island resident and our fantastic pilot, Marshall.
Also on board were a few bags of Royal Mail and provisions for the Stackhoull Stores {the grocery store}.
Some people are freaked out by small planes, but having grown up flying on seaplanes as a child, they don’t bother me one bit. Flying in them at night in the pitch dark, well, that’s another story.
Luckily for our flight we had light wind and fair skies and when Marshall asked if I wanted to sit up front I was thrilled to do so.
The flight was short, only about 25 minutes from the Mainland, Shetland to Fair Isle. If you’re on Instagram, I shared a time lapse video of my flight into Fair Isle if you want to take a peek. 🙂
This is my home for the next few weeks, and I couldn’t be more excited!!!
One of the packages {of mostly clothing} that I sent ahead has arrived… But the other one full of all my supplies {and projects I plan to work on while I’m here} is stuck in customs. Gaaaa. So that’s the first thing I’ve got to figure out. Well that, and lighting a coal fire.
But after that, I think I’ll head out and take a walk around.
I am so happy to be here, I can hardly stand it.
Have a great day everyone, wherever you are.
~Mavis
Jaime says
Are you kidding me! You are so adventurous! That is a beautiful place! Looking forward to you posts about all your adventures there.
Emily says
That looks spectacular and so you. Enjoy! If your supplies don’t make it through customs maybe you can get some local wool and take up Fair Isle knitting
Cat says
What a wonderful adventure thanks for sharing your trip
Sue McQ says
So beautiful-what a blessing
Linda Sand says
See, sheep! I knew it would be somewhere wooly!
Y says
You are such an inspiration! May you have the most amazing visit ever!
J in OH-IO says
You are so brave, smart, and creative! How exciting!!! Those wooly sheep- great photos!
Laura Z says
So beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this trip with us.
christa says
What a wonderful adventure–thank you for sharing and I hope someday to get there myself! A favorite movie of mine keeps coming to mind, 1947’s I Know Where I’m Going! A young English woman keeps trying to get to a remote island in the Outer Hebrides to marry a man she’s never met and has a much better adventure stuck where she is on the Isle of Mull.
A T says
Christa,
This movie just played on TCM and I saved it to my DVR. So excited to watch it now!
Lindsey says
When we lived in Scotland, it was on a sheep farm, and I think my favorite life memory is looking out our windows and seeing lambs jumping around amidst the daffodils that grew every place. I hope you see a ton of sheep during your stay!
Mary says
Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience
Gigi says
Exciting! Now I know that there is a Fair Isle to go along with Fair Isle knitting. Time to read up some history.
Tammy says
LOL I didn’t know that either. I have definitely heard of Fair Isle knitting but never thought about it.
Stephanie Z says
Say Hi to Dectective Inspector Jimmy Perez and his family. (Shetland, seasons 1-6).
If you do anything unlawful, be mindful of CCTV because DI Perez with definitely catch and charge you!
AShley says
How beautiful. I just looked up Fair Isle and found that they are well known for knitting sweaters, they’re beautiful look like something out of an LL Bean catalogue. Hope you have a great time!
Patti Vanderbloemen says
I’ve kinda lost count of how many days it took you to reach your final destination…3? It kept me on pins and needles for sure!! Good luck with Customs…ugh. Enjoy your stay!!
Shirley says
Thank you for sharing! It’s so wonderful to travel vicariously through you! Enjoy every moment!
Cheryl says
The eagle has landed! Have fun! Take lots of pics! what a unique experience! Woo hoo!
Marie says
I love the show “Shetland”. Is the grass really green now?!
Michelle S. says
This is FABULOUS! I’m so excited for you. Do you follow barkland_croft on Instagram? She raises sheep on Fair Isle for wool and she knits!
I’m looking forward to all of your Fair Isle posts.
Mavis Butterfield says
I ordered a few hats from Rachel and they should be ready before I head home. 🙂
Michelle S. says
Hooray! I hope you’ll take a picture so we can all see them.
Angel says
I love these pictures…. It is so beautiful and peaceful looking… enjoy! And thanks for taking us along
Stacie says
What a gorgeous island!! The sheep is so cute and what a cozy space. I looked up Fair Isle and they’re famous for their knitwear. I hope you plan to take up knitting with the locals while you’re there. What a wonderful adventure!
Christina says
Is it just me, or did that one sheep in the front look totally startled to see a new human? Haha It made me actually laugh out loud.
Three weeks sounds amazing! Spoken as a true introvert here 😉
Have fun, Mavis!