Rock Pool Located
Found the natural rock pool with Sarah and Skyelark today. It was cold but not as cold as the Arctic North Atlantic waters. Caaíng: We have to move some sheep. Should be simple enough!'
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Loading Wool For Market
After a walk down by the South Lighthouse, Skye, Sarah and me went to the dock to see the Good Shepherd unload and load up.. I joined in and gave a hand with the fleece-it's going to market. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Reif (@edreif)
Rise and Grind-Sheep Roundup
The Good Sheperd Loaded For Delivery There's no place like work when you are home on the range. I was not volunTOLD, but volunteered to help with the round jup and loading. A pleasure to assist with the precios cargo. now ready for market and sale. Then the regular day begins:
Dogs That Work
Skyelark Counts Sheep On Fair Isle Glen, Skyelark's Boyfriend looks after the herd Purpose driven Dogs- Mush! While many dogs are simply man's best friend, other dogs have additional serious jobs. Working dogs generally have natural instincts that are carefully honed with intensive training to perform a specific task. AKC and dog breed organizations categorize certain breeds into a "working group." of herding, tracking and guarding That includes our lovely Scottish Terreier, a farm dog, who can herd cattle and here on Fair Isle is having her internship in tracking Sheep. Call it OJT On The Job Training! Many canine jobs besides those born for herding include, Service Dogs, Police Dogs, Military Dogs--- See my story on War Paws) War Paws Detenction Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs. Bird Dogs, Tracking Dogs, Sight Dogs, Herd Dogs. We love our dogs! I trained Skyelark based on this course I created, compiled fromt he wisdom of professionala and a...
Off To Market
Rounding Up The Sheep For Market and loading them on The Good Shepherd We are talking about a relatively small number of lambs – under 1000 – so its all about finding a niche market and selling the lamb. It is an amazing product to eat and because it is so scarce and produced in such an environmental way, it is a specialty product. Bye Bye Black Sheep. You have had a great life on Fair Isle.
Tracking Orcas
What’s my best experience of seeing Orcas, Hawaii? Alaska, SeaWorld? I’d always say that the best experience I have had of an orca sighting is the one I last had, which is today. Thanks Dan for the Orca alert, and, taking these super-closeup photos with your camera. There’s a direct correlation between orca being seen when the sea is calm., and also we being more aware of wildlife now on the island.
Born To Herd
Hotel @nyware • Fair Isle Field Notes Exploring Fair Isle A living island tradition: sheep roundup, shearing, self-service fuel, local knowledge, and the rural rhythm that keeps Fair Isle connected to itself. Rural traditions in the modern world Featured Dispatch Where Tradition Still Has a Job Fair Isle is small in size and enormous in character. The island is known worldwide for distinctive knitwear patterns and bird watching, but the real story is how its agricultural traditions still bring the whole community into motion. Welcome to our journey through Fair Isle , a place where time seems to stand still. Today, I had the privilege of witnessing the traditional sheep roundup and shearing: an event that brings the entire community together and shows rural life at its most authentic. Located between Orkney and Shetland, Fair Isle is remote, practical, and alive with working knowledge. Modern co...
A Flight To See The Vet In Scalloway
What to Expect on Your First Island Hop Flight from Tingwall to Fair Isle Shetland island hop flights are also known as ‘puddle jumpers.’ Planes tend to be small and service airports that consist of one tiny landing strip. They’re also notorious reputations for running off schedule due to the vicissitudes of fickle weather. Think old Cessna planes built sometime between 1927 and 1997. There is no cockpit door separating passengers from the pilot. These island hop flights are safe, scenic, and an economical way to get around. The 30-minute flight can save you over 2.5 hours spent on a the Good Shepherd ferry to make the same 23 mile transit. FYI: THERE IS NOT A REAL A BARRIER BETWEEN YOU AND THE PILOT YOU MIGHT BE WEIGHED ALONG WITH YOUR LUGGAGE. IT WILL BE NOISY IT MAY NOT BE AS SMOOTHA S YOU THINK READY TO FLY? With these expectations in mind, your first island hop flight might be a fun adventure rather than an anxiety-i...
Good Shepherd Docks
Sarah waits for The Good Shepherd to pick up provisions. This converted SUV Hybrid serves as an ambulance for the island too To not have entirely wasted one's life seems to be a worthy accomplishment, if only for myself.. Enjoying the island, with it's own pace and rhythm, dependent on weather, and the arrivals and departures of The Good Shepherd Ferry and the Airplane service.
Living On The Edges
Our Croft With The Kirk and Wind turbines in the background Edgy Another glorious day on Fair Isle. Where? Shetland, also called the Shetland Islands and formerly Zetland. It is a subarctic archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland, situated in the Northern Atlantic, between Great Britain, the Faroe Islands and Norway. It is the northernmost part of Scotland and of the wider United Kingdom. And 24 miles from Shetland MKainland, is Britian's most remote inhabited island Fair Isle,
