When an opportunity arose to spend a week on Fair Isle in a creative residency, I jumped at the chance. To enjoy peace and reflection in the place where my favorite knitting technique hails from was a gift.
Lying where the North Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, it takes a bit of planning to get to Fair Isle. Traveling from Maine, USA, I took a bus, three planes, a car and a boat! Even with the best of planning, you are never guaranteed of getting there, it all depends on the wind and the weather.
MJ and
The Good Shepard IV
Farewell Mainland 
Hello Fair Isle!
I’ve always wanted to take the boat to Fair Isle, but time constraints and unwilling companions meant I’ve always flown. I believe we had a good crossing, or maybe I’m just used to being on lobster boats, but I loved every moment of our journey. Watching Mainland Shetland recede, while Fair Isle slowly came in to focus made it all the more real for me, getting to an island by boat just seems right. I posted some videos on Instagram (@mjmucklestone) if you would like to see more.
And here below is my darling croft-for-the-week, where I spent time working on my upcoming book. Stay tuned for further posts, take a look at my instagram archives, and sign up for my Newsletter!
Lower Leogh Creative Residency with Malcolm’s Head in the background.
Fair Isle Travel information
By Air:
- Air Task – Shetland Islands inter island air service
- Air Task Facebook Page Keep an eye on this page for current flight information.
By Sea:
- The Good Shepard IV Tuesday year round, also Saturday in Summer, weather permitting.
Where to Stay:
Fair Isle Studio – Creative Residency
- Fair Isle Studio Residency details and application information.