Fair Isle is a small island in the Shetland Islands, an archipelago of Scotland located in the North Sea. It is the southernmost of the Shetland Islands and is located between the Shetland mainland and Orkney Islands. The island is three miles long and one and a half miles wide, and is home to around 70 people. Fair Isle has a unique landscape of rugged cliffs, sandy beaches and heather-covered hills.
The island has a long history of human habitation, with evidence of prehistoric settlement and Viking occupation. The island was first mentioned in the Orkneyinga Saga, written in the 13th century. In the 16th century, Fair Isle was part of the Earldom of Orkney, and later became part of the Shetland Islands. In the 19th century, the island was used for sheep farming and fishing, and in the 20th century it became a popular tourist destination.
Fair Isle is renowned for its bird observatory, which was founded in 1948. The observatory is one of the most important birdwatching sites in Europe and is home to more than 200 species of birds. The island is also known for its traditional Fair Isle knitting, which is a type of stranded knitting characterized by its intricate patterns. Fair Isle sweaters are popular all over the world and are a symbol of the island's unique heritage.
Fair Isle is a unique and beautiful island, steeped in history and culture. Its stunning landscape, rich wildlife and traditional crafts make it a popular destination for visitors from all over the world.
Experience Fair Isle with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Fair Isle. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.
The climate in Fair Isle, Great Britain is generally mild throughout the year, with lots of rain and wind. During the winter, temperatures rarely drop below freezing, with an average temperature of around 6°C. Spring brings a bit more warmth, with temperatures reaching around 10°C. Summer is usually quite mild and wet, with temperatures between 12-15°C, while autumn is usually quite windy and wet, with temperatures between 8-10°C.
Our weather forecast for Fair Isle helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.
Date | Icon | Temperature | Wind speed/gusts | Cloudiness/Visibility | Air humidity/pressure | Sunrise/Sunset |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 21st 2024 Dec. 21st 2024 | max: 9.0 °C min: 7.1 °C |
88.2 m/s 137.9 m/s |
92.4 % 16.8 m |
80.7 % 980 hPa |
09:04:28 15:05:22 |
|
Dec. 22nd 2024 Dec. 22nd 2024 | max: 8.2 °C min: 6.7 °C |
72.7 m/s 113.4 m/s |
82.9 % 21.4 m |
77.6 % 983 hPa |
09:04:55 15:05:55 |
|
Dec. 23rd 2024 Dec. 23rd 2024 | max: 7.8 °C min: 6.3 °C |
49.0 m/s 71.6 m/s |
60.2 % 22.1 m |
65.2 % 1,012 hPa |
09:05:17 15:06:34 |
|
Dec. 24th 2024 Dec. 24th 2024 | max: 11.4 °C min: 8 °C |
50.4 m/s 76.0 m/s |
97.5 % 23.8 m |
86.1 % 1,008 hPa |
09:05:34 15:07:19 |
|
Dec. 25th 2024 Dec. 25th 2024 | max: 11.4 °C min: 10.4 °C |
42.1 m/s 63.0 m/s |
88.8 % 24.1 m |
86.5 % 1,017 hPa |
09:05:45 15:08:08 |
|
Dec. 26th 2024 Dec. 26th 2024 | max: 10.8 °C min: 8.3 °C |
47.2 m/s 70.2 m/s |
100.0 % 24.1 m |
87.7 % 1,026 hPa |
09:05:50 15:09:03 |
|
Dec. 27th 2024 Dec. 27th 2024 | max: 9.0 °C min: 8 °C |
36.0 m/s 42.5 m/s |
96.0 % 24.1 m |
86.2 % 1,027 hPa |
09:05:51 15:10:03 |
|
Dec. 28th 2024 Dec. 28th 2024 | max: 8.7 °C min: 8.1 °C |
41.4 m/s 47.9 m/s |
64.7 % 23.4 m |
80.7 % 1,023 hPa |
09:05:46 15:11:08 |
|
Dec. 29th 2024 Dec. 29th 2024 | max: 8.3 °C min: 6.6 °C |
61.4 m/s 79.0 m/s |
98.0 % 21.3 m |
77.9 % 1,013 hPa |
09:05:36 15:12:17 |
|
Dec. 30th 2024 Dec. 30th 2024 | max: 7.2 °C min: 6.1 °C |
64.4 m/s 85.3 m/s |
77.7 % 23.5 m |
59.5 % 1,015 hPa |
09:05:20 15:13:32 |
|
Dec. 31st 2024 Dec. 31st 2024 | max: 7.8 °C min: 2.8 °C |
45.7 m/s 52.3 m/s |
91.1 % 20.1 m |
78.5 % 1,017 hPa |
09:04:59 15:14:51 |
|
Jan. 1st 2025 Jan. 1st 2025 | max: 9.1 °C min: 6.3 °C |
63.4 m/s 81.0 m/s |
91.3 % 18.8 m |
80.7 % 991 hPa |
09:04:34 15:16:14 |
|
Jan. 2nd 2025 Jan. 2nd 2025 | max: 7.3 °C min: 2.8 °C |
54.7 m/s 58.7 m/s |
96.8 % 15.3 m |
70.1 % 990 hPa |
09:04:03 15:17:42 |
|
Jan. 3rd 2025 Jan. 3rd 2025 | max: 3.4 °C min: 2.6 °C |
63.0 m/s 69.1 m/s |
100.0 % 12.9 m |
59.7 % 1,008 hPa |
09:03:27 15:19:15 |
|
Jan. 4th 2025 Jan. 4th 2025 | max: 7.5 °C min: 3.3 °C |
58.7 m/s 72.0 m/s |
100.0 % 18.5 m |
71.1 % 1,010 hPa |
09:02:46 15:20:51 |
Would you like to travel to Fair Isle on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Fair Isle.
Date | Ship | Arrival | Departure | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|
May 1st 2025 Thursday, 1st of May 2025 | Silver Endeavour | 09:30 am | 04:00 pm | |
May 5th 2025 Monday, 5th of May 2025 | Silver Endeavour | 10:30 am | 03:00 pm | |
Jun. 4th 2025 Wednesday, 4th of Jun. 2025 | Silver Wind Expedition | 02:30 pm | 08:00 pm | |
Jun. 29th 2025 Sunday, 29th of Jun. 2025 | Seabourn Venture | 02:00 pm | 06:00 pm | |
Jul. 20th 2025 Sunday, 20th of Jul. 2025 | Silver Wind Expedition | 02:30 pm | 08:00 pm | |
Aug. 1st 2025 Friday, 1st of Aug. 2025 | Scenic Eclipse | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
Jun. 18th 2026 Thursday, 18th of Jun. 2026 | HANSEATIC spirit | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
Jun. 19th 2026 Friday, 19th of Jun. 2026 | HANSEATIC spirit | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
Jun. 20th 2026 Saturday, 20th of Jun. 2026 | HANSEATIC spirit | 12:00 am | 12:00 am |
Photos by cruise fans for cruise fans!
Share your best pictures with the community and discover authentic images from travellers who have already been there.
- There are no photos available for Fair Isle yet.
Share your holiday photos with the community and inspire others to their next adventure!
There are a few basic rules to follow
.Port | Distance |
---|---|
Mousa in Great Britain | 57,73 km |
Foula, Shetland Islands in Great Britain | 70,76 km |
Papa Westray in Great Britain | 73,94 km |
Lerwick in Great Britain | 74,35 km |
Isle of Noss in Great Britain | 75,16 km |
Pierowall in Great Britain | 80,47 km |
Papa Stour Shetland Islands in Great Britain | 88,66 km |
Copinsay in Great Britain | 92,42 km |
Kirkwall in Great Britain | 97,13 km |
Shetland Islands in Great Britain | 112,59 km |
Stromness in Great Britain | 113,69 km |
Scrabster in Great Britain | 149,82 km |
Invergordon in Great Britain | 252,46 km |
Aberdeen in Great Britain | 266,47 km |
Ullapool in Great Britain | 273,24 km |
Inverness in Great Britain | 273,69 km |
Loch Ewe in Great Britain | 299,66 km |