Undiscovered Scotland
Past Malcom's Head, today's fantastic walk takes in some of the best coastal scenery and features on Fair Isle., and Winter adds to the lighting and texture.
Fair Isle is an island of two distinct parts. The northern two thirds is set for grazing, open moorland, hills and sea cliffs that stand tall in open defiance to the battering sea and brutal weather conditions. The southern part is allocated for croft land (Sheep) and is home to most of the islanders. I'm down South this day, near our home. In fact the video above is our backyard views!
Why are there no trees on this island? At first, with such strong winds, one might believe that weather plays a part. The real reasons for the lack of trees are to do with clearance for firewood and the presence of sheep, which have prevented natural regeneration. The peat that's still burned in some parts of the highlands is the remnants of the forest that once covered the land.
No man is an island, as John Donne wrote, but, north of the border, you can live on one-in The Shetlands.
