Skervalie

The middle of the Fair Isle landing strip

Flight DFL002 for Tingwall had just departed, and the next flight wasn't due to arrive for about six hours. So it was deemed quite safe for me to cross the strip on my way to the track to Ward Hill. Amusingly, when that next flight arrived, the landing was aborted at the last minute, and the pilot went round for another attempt. The reason? There was a sheep on the strip! The trip reminded me of my visit to the Isles of Scilly, at the other end of the country, in 2013. Similar small and rather noisy planes, and a runway (in SV9110) on a convex slope so that the pilots couldn't see that far ahead.

Looking to Ward Hill, Fair Isle

From near the transmission station. The two diagonal lines are clearly the routes of the cables used to haul goods up to the former radar station on the summit. What a shame that they weren't used to bring down some of the debris left on the summit after closure! Although one can argue about "What is a hill?", I think there are five hills of any significance on Fair Isle. At 217m, Ward Hill is clearly the highest.

Vaasetter Hill, Fair Isle

Vaasetter Hill, 110m, is the rounded light-coloured hill straight ahead. It is a very easy walk, though unfortunately I did not have time to climb it. Beyond Vaasetter Hill looms the dark summit of Sheep Rock (132m, and still just in square). Sheep Rock is accessible only to climbers capable at a high grade. It may not be very long before Sheep Rock becomes a separate island, as the link is very narrow and fragile. This won't make it any more difficult to climb, as the only practicable route is from the east. Although one can argue about "What is a hill?", I think there are five hills of any significance on Fair Isle. On this basis, Sheep Rock is the third highest and Vaasetter the fourth.

The gorge of Gilsetter Burn

Falling to the east coast of Fair Isle, with South Gavel on Bu Ness beyond. It had been dry for some weeks, so there was almost no water in the burn.

Fair Isle from the air

Taken from a plane en route between Sumburgh and Aberdeen. The closest part of the island is Buness.

Mike Pennington

Evening at North Haven, Fair Isle

Even the bonxie looked relaxed, but watchful. Fair Isle experiences extremely strong winds and even heavy wooden rowing boats have to be securely tied down.

Mavers Geo, South Haven, Fair Isle

Harbour and beach, North Haven, Fair Isle

The Bird Observatory and hostel can be seen on the skyline

Sea Entrance to North Haven, Fair Isle

The harbour lies behind the breakwater

Fair Isle North Lighthouse

Radio station on Ward Hill in the background. "On 28 March 1941 the dwelling houses were machine gunned by an enemy plane. Two bombs were also dropped but landed 60 yards south east of the tower and damage was confined to broken glass. The second main attack happened on 18 April 1941 when a single enemy plane machine gunned the buildings and dropped two HE bombs one of which registered a direct hit on the buildings situated 30 feet from the back wall of the dwelling houses. The outhouses, comprising store houses and closets were completely demolished and all contents destroyed, plus 24 feet of boundary wall which was also demolished. "Roderick Macaulay, Assistant Lightkeeper, walked 3 miles from North Lighthouse, where he and his daughter had a narrow escape in the former raid, through snowdrifts and gale-force winds to lend a hand in restoring the South Light to operational order, and returned in the dark to take his own regular watch at the North Light: he received the BEM for his outstanding services" - Link

Fair Isle Bird Observatory, 1974

The purpose-built Bird Observatory was opened in 1969 and encased in blockwork in 1989. The current observatory was opened in July 2010. By 1982 the wood fascia of the observatory had been stained a darker hue HZ2272 : Fair Isle Bird Observatory in 1982. New observatory buildings were opened in July 2010. I visited it within a month of its opening. HZ2272 : Fair Isle Bird Observatory reopened June 2010.

Good Shepherd IV between Fair Isle and Lerwick

This image was taken on the high seas. Exact position unknown with Mainland Shetland still ahead. I have located this at Fair Isle as one of its two main ports. A sunny day with hardly a breeze but certainly cool on the high seas.

North Haven, Fair Isle

The Fair Isle ferry, Good Shepherd III, lies at the pier and a trawler is also in North Haven. The Fair Isle Bird Observatory is the flat-roofed brown building on the road heading south.

Good Shepherd III arrival at Fair Isle

Islanders and transport lined up to take the cargo from the arrival of the ferry.

The southwest face of Sheep Rock, Fair Isle

Alan Reid

North & South Haven from Bu Ness

Alan Reid

On Goorn peninsula

Looking into South Haven. The Fair Isle Bird Observatory is visible left of the narrow strand.

Alan Reid

Show me another place!

Skervalie is located at Grid Ref: HZ2272 (Lat: 59.537574, Lng: -1.5995449)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///baths.breaches.retail. Near Sumburgh, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

South Restensgeo Furse Yessness Stane of the North Gavel Bu Ness Ruskilie

Related Wikis

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.537574,-1.5995449

Ferry Terminal

Ferry: yes

Public Transport: station

Lat/Long: 59.5378462/-1.603784

Seamark Light 1 Character: Oc

Seamark Light 1 Colour: green

Seamark Light 1 Height: 10

Seamark Light 1 Period: 8

Seamark Light 1 Range: 6

Seamark Light 1 Sector End: 208.1

Seamark Light 1 Sector Start: 203.6

Seamark Light 1 Sequence: 6+(2)

Seamark Light 2 Character: Oc

Seamark Light 2 Colour: white

Seamark Light 2 Height: 10

Seamark Light 2 Period: 8

Seamark Light 2 Range: 6

Seamark Light 2 Sector End: 211.1

Seamark Light 2 Sector Start: 208.1

Seamark Light 2 Sequence: 6+(2)

Seamark Light 3 Character: Oc

Seamark Light 3 Colour: red

Seamark Light 3 Height: 10

Seamark Light 3 Period: 8

Seamark Light 3 Range: 6

Seamark Light 3 Sector End: 220.6

Seamark Light 3 Sector Start: 211.1

Seamark Light 3 Sequence: 6+(2)

Seamark Light Reference: A 3753

Seamark Type: light_minor

Source: US NGA Pub. 114. 2011-05-26.

Lat/Long: 59.5373667/-1.60635

Bbq

Lat/Long: 59.5372865/-1.6066728

Bench

Lat/Long: 59.53753/-1.6066353

Bbq

Lat/Long: 59.5372756/-1.60424

Leisure: slipway

Lat/Long: 59.5376836/-1.6031932

Leisure: slipway

Lat/Long: 59.5374538/-1.605583

Buness

Place: locality

Lat/Long: 59.5391075/-1.6000223

Arch Viewpoint

Direction: W

Tourism: viewpoint

Lat/Long: 59.5404181/-1.6007504

Cliffs viewpoint

Direction: N

Tourism: viewpoint

Lat/Long: 59.5345533/-1.6008469

Atlantic puffin rookery

Leisure: bird_hide

Lat/Long: 59.5337359/-1.6018876

North Haven

Natural: bay

Wikidata: Q25172050

Wikipedia: en:North Haven (harbour)

Lat/Long: 59.5387538/-1.6044706