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Showing posts from October, 2021

Self-Isolated on Britain’s Most Remote Isle—And We Shall Return

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Where Scotland Meets Scandinavia A journey to Fair Isle - where the North Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean Breathtaking views from Shetland's main island The rugged beauty of Fair Isle's landscape Collected these memories in our trip reports: "Not So Fair Isle." We're ending this for a week until our return. Looking back at 2020 and 2021 during the global pandemic, we took social distancing to the extreme by self-isolating on Britain's most remote inhabited island, Fair Isle, with a population of just 45 residents (now 42, minus a dog named Skeylark too). As MacArthur says, "We Shall Return" to this magical place where Scotland meets Scandinavia.

Sailing the Sky, Leaving Fair Isle For Now

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Enhanced Blogger Layout Flight Tracker A Bird’s-Eye Goodbye to the Island Fair Isle, you've been home, haven, and horizon. From Sarah, Skylark, and me—we take off with hearts full of memories and skies full of promise. The sea may stretch between us now, but we’ll be back. Until then, Shetland calls. Isle be seeing you soon! Reset Right Image Explore more inspiring content Discover beautiful moments ...

Carlos the Bull: From Pasture to Christmas Plate

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The Loneliest Bull in Britain The Loneliest Bull in the World Carlos: The Only Bull on Britain's Most Remote Inhabited Island Featured Video Meet Carlos: Fair Isle's Only Bull On Fair Isle, Britain's most remote inhabited island located between Orkney and Shetland, lives Carlos - the loneliest bull in the world. As the only bull on an island of just 55 human residents, Carlos has become something of a local celebrity. "I kissed a dog and I liked it" - Carlos the Bull finds friendship and companionship outside his species on this isolated Scottish outpost. With no other bovine companions, Carlos has developed unique relationships with the island's other animals and human residents. More Videos ...

Sky-Mail: Orkney’s Drones Take Postal Service to New Heights

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UAV Mail Delivery Service Revolutionary UAV Mail Delivery Bringing efficient and sustainable mail service to remote locations The UAV can carry 100kg of mail of all sizes for a distance of 1,000km, and it was flown to our Fair Isle. It can fly in poor weather conditions, and if the trial is successful, the technology will be considered by Royal Mail. A key aim is for the autonomous flights to reduce emissions compared to current delivery methods for a low carbon future. © 2025 UAV Mail Delivery Service | Bringing innovation to mail delivery systems

Stranded in Paradise: Hotel Fair Isle, Where Departures Are Optional

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Fair Isle Weather Fair Isle Weather The stunning views of Fair Isle, where weather dictates travel Sometimes it can feel like checking out is easier than leaving, due to the unpredictable weather at either end, Shetland mainland or here on Fair Isle. If you can see Sheep Rock, they can land a plane

Land, Sea and Air Today

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Want to lose weight this winter? Going wild swimming in cold seas, lakes and rivers could help, study finds Danish researchers recruited eight men who swam outdoors once a week They found the men had a lower pulse and reduced blood pressure Outdoor swimming is increasingly popular in both the UK and Denmark and here in Shetland on Fair Isl e Results point to winter swimming as an activity that could increase energy expenditure, thus proposing a new lifestyle activity that might contribute to weight loss or weight control View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Reif (@edreif) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Reif (@edreif) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Reif (@edreif) Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player...

ROCKTOBER CONTINUES

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The Places We Will Go

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  "In referencing Dr. Seuss’s light-hearted children’s story, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!,” a meaningful message about the importance of seizing new opportunities, keeping an open-mind, and trying new things stands out. I’ve learned that life is certainly one huge adventure, jam-packed with unexpected twists and turns. The excitement, adventure and craziness of these experiences, however, make life special and create long lasting memories." Carolyn Sims

Happy Anniversary SARAH_E

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The Commute-with The Perfect Foldable Bike

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Fair Isle: Britain's Most Remote Inhabited Island A journey to the edge of Scotland, where wildness meets tradition in perfect isolation Departing the island after an unforgettable journey through Scotland's most isolated community Island Highlights Fair Isle boasts a remarkable diversity of plant life despite its harsh conditions, with over 250 species of flowering plants recorded. The island's archaeological significance dates back to prehistoric times, with evidence of human settlement stretching back at least 5,000 years. The island sits at the meeting point of Atlantic and North Sea currents, creating a unique ecosystem that attracts rare migratory birds, making it a paradise for ornithologists and nature enthusiasts. Remote Adventure Birdwatching ...

Lerwick and Fair Isle

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Moving Through Paintings 🎨 It feels like we are moving through paintings as the ever-changing weather lights the landscape in splendid ways here on Fair Isle. Day Trip to the Mainland ✈️ Today we took a 30-minute island hop flight to the mainland—scenic and exciting! First, I said goodbye to the herd. The Shetland Series 📺 Thanks to the TV show *Shetland*, we ended up discovering Fair Isle—and stayed longer than expected! Cameo with Jimmy Perez 🎬 We met Douglas Henshall during filming of BBC’s *Shetland*. What a surreal moment! Living on Fair Isle 🏝️ Fair Isle is one of only 15 inhabited islands in the Shetland archipelago. It’s now our home! Neighbor: The Real Jimmy Perez 🐑 Here’s Jimmy Stout—our neighbor and the real-life inspiration behind Jimmy Perez! Island Hop Flight Tips 🛩️ Small planes, no cockpit door, and maybe som...

Traction

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Stone Sentinels: Shetland’s Wild Cliffscapes

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Hover Effect and White Text A landscape shaped by stonewalls and geology. Silence is the presence of time undisturbed. It is not the absence of something but the presence of everything - welcome to Fair Isle, Britain's most remote inhabited island, population 45 plus 8 dogs. One of them being our Aberdeen Scottish Terrier puppy, Skyelark, born in Charleston, South Carolina 10 months ago, January 10th. She made the trek with us to Shetland to frolic on her ancestral highlands. With the gale winds, and waves constantly crashing along the jagged coastline, it creates its own kind of white noise, and soundtrack to my How To Disappear novel I always wanted to write. There is a fundamental frequency for these parts, and turning in is not dropping out but turning on to i...

Rocktober

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  View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Reif (@edreif) > A post shared by Ed Reif (@edreif) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Reif (@edreif) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Reif (@edreif) The television show “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In,” popular in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, was famous for awarding its goofy trophy, the Flying Fickle Finger of Fate. But the term fickle finger of fate is actually decades older than that. Sock It To Em!  In my video I say T he Fickle Finger Of Fate ,, the f word fickle finger of fate is  dark gallows humor... Didn't realize it... but I think it's part of being alive. We have plans and then, things happen beyond our plans.