UK's most remote inhabited island with rare birdlife and the wreckage of a Spanish Armada ship
THE UK's most remote island measures just five kilometres by three kilometres - yet has a lot to boast about.
The southernmost of the Shetland Islands, Fair Isle, is home to only 60 people - most of whom are located at the south end of the island.
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Fair Isle is located in the Shetland Islands and is home to only 60 people
Credit: Alamy
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The island boasts coastal walks with breathtaking views
Credit: Alamy
For those heading to the island, it is home to a large variety of different birdlife including Kittiwakes, Puffins and Gannets.
In fact, over 350 bird species have been recorded on the island.
Having only recently opened in May, The Fair Isle Bird Observatory offers visitors the chance to look out for many of the rare species or experience a guided tour.
From 2026, you can even stay in the Observatory.
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Alongside the bird life, there is a wealth of other fauna and flora to see across the island, making it the perfect spot for a hike.
There are a number of coastal walks or you could follow the road up to the North Haven and North Lighthouse.
And if you want to learn about the island's history, head to the South Lighthouse for a tour arranged through the Fair Isle Lighthouse Society.
The island is also famous for Fair Isle knitting - a traditional style of knitting with patterns using two colours per row.
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The creative knitwear suddenly rose in popularity after the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) wore Fair Isle jumpers in 1921.
Whilst much of today's knitted creations do not follow the original process, some of the island's craftspeople do still create garments using the traditional pattern.
We live on a remote island home to only 30 people and don't celebrate Christmas until January... but we're not unique,
Rather unusually, Fair Isle also has a long history of shipwrecks with some dating back to the Viking period.
One of the most famous shipwrecks is the Spanish Armada ship El Gran Grifón.
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The 650-ton 38-gun ship sank on September 27, 1588 and for many years remained untouched.
However, over the years many of the ship's parts and items were excavated and taken, with some brought to Lerwick, where they can be seen at the Shetland Museum.
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There is also a Bird Observatory on the island that you visit or even stay at from 2026
Credit: Alamy
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You can see parts of the wrecked Spanish Armada ship at Shetland Museum
Credit: National Fund for Acquisitions
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The island can be reached from Mainland, Shetland's main island, either by sea or by flying.
If travelling by sea, the Good Shepherd IV ferry carries 12 people and the journey takes around two-and-a-half hours.
Alternatively, you can catch a 25-minute flight from Tingwall airport.
There are flights to the island each day, providing the weather isn't too windy.
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These Are Expedia's Top 10 Islands for 2025 Aruba Bali Dominican Republic Fiji Jamaica Koh Samui Maldives Oahu, Hawaii Paros, Greece Sardinia, Italy
Elsewhere, the UK's 'happiest islands' have white sand beaches and attractions older than the Egyptian pyramids.
Plus, five islands off the coast of the UK you can visit without needing your passport.
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