In 1882-4, Frances Groome's Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland described Fair Isle like this:
Fair Isle (Scand. farr, 'a sheep'), an island of Dunrossness parish, Shetland, 29 miles SSW of Sumburgh Head, and nearly midway between Shetland and Orkney. It measures 3 miles in length, and nearly 2 in breadth; is inaccessible except at one point on the NE; and rises into three lofty promontories. ...
One of these, the Sheep Craig, is nearly insulated, has a conical shape, and rises to the height of 480 feet. The upper grounds are mostly covered with excellent sheep pasture, and the lower are fairly fertile, but the island does not raise grain enough for its inhabitants. These, who dwell chiefly in the middle vale, are engaged—the men in fishing, and the women in hosiery. The art of knitting woollen articles of various colours and curious patterns is said to have been taught the islanders by the 200 Spaniards who escaped from the wreck at Stromceiler Creek of the flagship of the Duke de Medina Sidonia, the admiral of the Spanish Armada, when retreating in 1588 before the English squadron. In 1868 a German emigrant ship went full sail into Sheltie Cave; but this time happily no lives were lost. Canada has from time to time received a good deal of the surplus population, and in 1874 there was serious talk of an emigration en masse to New Zealand. There is an Established mission church; and a public school, with accommodation for 56 children, had (1880) an average attendance of 24, and a grant of £29, 15s. Pop. (1801) 160, (1841) 232, (1861) 380, (1871) 226, (1881) 214.
Fair Isle through time
Fair Isle is now part of Shetland Islands district. Click here for graphs and data of how Shetland Islands has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Fair Isle itself, go to Units and Statistics.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Fair Isle in Shetland Islands | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/21757
Date accessed: 19th April 2024
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