Fair Isle Shetland Scotland
United Kingdom
44
Cruises availables
At departure or passage at this port
Aurora Expeditions (3 Cruises)
HX Expeditions (2 Cruises)
Seabourn Cruise Line (29 Cruises)
Seabourn Pursuit
9 Cruises
Seabourn Venture
20 Cruises
SeaDream Yacht Club (2 Cruises)
Silversea Cruises (8 Cruises)
Frequently Asked Questions
By inflatable boat, into the cove at North Haven, where the Good Shepherd — the small ferry linking the island to Shetland — also lands. There is no terminal and no berth for cruise ships. Landing depends entirely on the swell: the weather decides, not the timetable.
Halfway between Orkney and Shetland, in the North Atlantic. The island measures five kilometres by three, carries a lighthouse at each end and has around sixty residents. It is the most isolated inhabited island in Britain.
Walk, and watch birds. The single road crosses the southern crofts, passes the chapel and the school, then climbs to the northern moorland. From the ridges the view reaches the cliffs of Sheep Rock. A few hours on foot cover the essentials.
Because it sits on a major migration route and sees rare species from Siberia and North America pass through in spring and autumn. The bird observatory, reopened in 2024 after the 2019 fire, continues scientific work begun in 1948, and its residents happily share the day's sightings.
On the grassy cliff slopes, where thousands nest in summer. Buness and Skroo are among the best vantage points. Gannets, guillemots, razorbills and fulmars occupy the neighbouring ledges. Keep a respectful distance and stay on the marked paths.
Yes. The multicoloured banded patterning was developed on the island in the nineteenth century and popularised in the 1920s. A few knitters keep the tradition alive, and their pieces are sometimes ordered years ahead. Workshops open according to ship arrivals, with no guarantee.
Almost none. The community shop and the craft workshops are the only places to buy anything, and you should not count on restaurants or tourist services. Bring water and something to eat from the ship.
For families with teenagers who enjoy walking, yes. The inflatable landing, the absence of shops and public facilities and the uneven ground make it a poor fit for young children or anyone with reduced mobility. This is an expedition call, not a day in town.
Pounds sterling and English. Card payment works at the community shop, but mobile coverage is patchy: carrying a little cash avoids disappointment in front of a piece of knitwear you would like to take home.
Late May to early August, when the seabird colonies are full and the puffins are nesting. That is also when the sea most often allows a landing. Wind is a constant companion, so a windproof layer and waterproof footwear are needed even in fine weather.
