Fair Isle named as one of top ten islands in the world

The Scottish island of Fair Isle has been named as one of the world's top ten islands.

The Scottish island of Fair Isle has been named as one of the world's top ten islands in a National Geographic survey by travel writer Leslie Thomas. Fair Isle ranks above the likes of Capri, and Tahiti, to a placing of fifth out of ten. Leslie describes Fair Isle as 'the most isolated island in Britain', adding: 'It is home to only about 70 people, but hundreds of thousands of birds reside here as well. Most of the visitors to this wild and wonderful place are bird-watchers. Sheep placidly graze on the steeply angled meadows.'

Alexander Bennett, group manager for Countryside and Islands North with National Trust for Scotland, who have owned the island since 1954, told The Scotsman newspaper: 'This is an amazing accolade for Fair Isle – a place of outstanding natural beauty, supported by a thriving and committed community. We hope this exposure encourages more people to make the trip to sample Fair Isle’s unique charms, wonderful wildlife and warm welcome.'

The full list can be found at the National Geographic website and reads as follows:

Top ten islands

1 Nantucket, Massachusetts

2 Isles of Scilly, England

3 Saba, Netherlands West Indies

4 Canary Islands, Spain

5 Fair Isle, Scotland

6 Lord Howe Islands, Australia

7 Capri, Italy

8 Channel Islands, United States

9 Tahiti, French Polynesia

10 Islands of the Andaman Sea, Thailand

Fair Isle factfile

Size: 3 x 1 miles

Population: Seventy

Transport: Arrive by ferry from Shetland or by air from Tingwall

Highest point: The 217 metre tall West Point in the north of the island

Climate: Oceanic with mild winters and rapidly-changing weather conditions

Famous for: Bird watching and Fair Isle knitwear

(Image copyright Dave Wheeler)

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