0:00:05 > 0:00:06Fair Isle.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09Britain's most remote inhabited island.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14It is an extraordinary place to live.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20There are so many moments when you walk outside,
0:00:20 > 0:00:25or even stand in the window on a stormy day, and just say, "Wow".
0:00:31 > 0:00:33But life here is not for everyone.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Scott, come. Come.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38There is no power at night.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42The weather never seems to stop.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45Until the snow goes, there's really no flights.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50This is the ferry information service for Fair Isle.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54Today, Thursday 3rd, there's no sailing. Thank you.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58It can be impossible to leave the island for weeks on end.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04There is no pub, and just one small shop.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09Splendid. OK.
0:01:09 > 0:01:10- Cheers.- Bye.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Every able-bodied adult holds down
0:01:13 > 0:01:16several jobs just to keep the island going.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23But its population is at a critical point.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26If we lose two or three more families,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29then the population crashes.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33And that would be utter disaster for a remote place like this.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Once, almost 400 people lived here.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Now, there are just 55.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48But a new couple are moving here.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50The first on Fair Isle for five years.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56The island needs them, and others like them, if it's going to survive.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59You can't want a better place to wash your car than this, really, can you?
0:01:59 > 0:02:04I never really imagined myself doing this as part
0:02:04 > 0:02:06of my way of life.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08But will they suit Fair Isle?
0:02:08 > 0:02:10And will Fair Isle suit them?
0:02:23 > 0:02:27Some people have come here to try and get away from life or whatever.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31But you needn't do that, because
0:02:31 > 0:02:35what happens here is that life is very much in your face, you know,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37so there's nowhere to hide.
0:02:37 > 0:02:38No place to hide!
0:02:41 > 0:02:43It's just an amazing place.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45And it's so small.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48It's so small. And in the middle of nowhere.
0:02:54 > 0:02:55Fair Isle is this very
0:02:55 > 0:02:59small island at the top of the United Kingdom.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02It is halfway between these two groups of islands called
0:03:02 > 0:03:05the Shetland Islands and the Orkney Islands.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10It is three miles long and 1.5 miles across.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15And it is Britain's most remote inhabited island.
0:03:16 > 0:03:17And it's our home.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23The National Trust for Scotland bought Fair Isle in 1954.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26But unlike most of their other properties,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Fair Isle is actually inhabited.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34People live on the island as crofting farmers.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39They maintain the long tradition of the famous Fair Isle knitting
0:03:39 > 0:03:42patterns, and run all the essential services themselves.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45This is a working island.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47It's not a museum.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50It's a place where we live, and if we want anything doing here,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52we have to do it for ourselves.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56And that means that just two more pairs of hands
0:03:56 > 0:03:58would make a real difference.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03How do you feel about leaving the rope swing, Rachel?
0:04:03 > 0:04:04Sad.
0:04:04 > 0:04:05HE LAUGHS
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Last words for the rope swing?
0:04:07 > 0:04:10I love the rope swing.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Shaun and Rachel could be exactly what Fair Isle needs.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18They are young, in their 30s, and both ex-military.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25They already know Fair Isle, and now they're packing to return.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28This time as permanent residents.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Shaun and I have been together about ten months,
0:04:31 > 0:04:33which I know isn't that long.
0:04:33 > 0:04:34People think,
0:04:34 > 0:04:38"Wow, what a big thing to try and do," but, you know...
0:04:38 > 0:04:43We both met working at the bird observatory on Fair Isle
0:04:43 > 0:04:48last year. Shaun was a domestic assistant, I was assistant cook.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50Saw dashing me at the bar.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52That was it.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- "Who's that gorgeous chap?" - Yeah.- A bit bald, but...
0:04:55 > 0:04:56I like that, though.
0:04:58 > 0:04:59- INTERVIEWER:- Are you married?
0:04:59 > 0:05:00No. Not yet.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02I've never been married before.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05And kind of, you know, time is getting on.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09I'd... You know, I'd like to experience it once in my life.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12- Before it gets too late! - Fair Isle is a good setting.
0:05:13 > 0:05:14It is.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19After just three months as a couple,
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Shaun and Rachel heard that one of the crofts
0:05:22 > 0:05:23on Fair Isle had become vacant.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29Barkland Croft comes with a four-bedroom house, 25 acres
0:05:29 > 0:05:31of land and 24 sheep.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Despite having no farming experience,
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Shaun and Rachel convinced the National Trust for Scotland that
0:05:38 > 0:05:41they were cut out for life on a remote island.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47We had the advantage in that Shaun and Rachel had worked here on
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Fair Isle for six months prior to coming.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52And that was really nice.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54And that gave them a sort of understanding of Fair Isle life
0:05:54 > 0:05:57and what they might be faced with.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Ever since the island's population has declined,
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Fair Isle has depended on incomers from all over the world.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16So of the 27 households, less than half are
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Fair Islanders born and bred.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24# Wish you were here... #
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Neil's family have lived on Fair Isle for over 400 years.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37He met his wife Pat while working in London.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44I met Neil in the Met Office when we were both on training courses.
0:06:44 > 0:06:45And...
0:06:48 > 0:06:50..we fell in love at first sight, didn't we?
0:06:50 > 0:06:55And then, after a brief few months, came up to Shetland,
0:06:55 > 0:06:57fell in love with Shetland,
0:06:57 > 0:06:59and came to Fair Isle and fell in love with Fair Isle, too.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03So we've never really looked back since then.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08How's this for romance?
0:07:08 > 0:07:12I proposed to Pat about ten o'clock on a rainy night.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Outside Terminal 3 in a bus shelter at Heathrow.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17Yeah.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22We have fantastic wildlife.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27I mean, where else would I go and get to play with a big boat?!
0:07:46 > 0:07:49It's a bit thick to do with clippers, but never mind.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- No hairdresser on Fair Isle, then? - No.
0:07:53 > 0:07:54No hairdresser on Fair Isle.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56And if you've got short hair,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58you know, it needs doing
0:07:58 > 0:08:00regularly, then it's basically...
0:08:00 > 0:08:03You can't just fly out just to get your hair done.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10OK, well, this is just a wall of...
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Just a random wall of photos of the children mainly.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15All four of them since they were little.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18When did you have your first child?
0:08:18 > 0:08:22Lachlan, he was born in 1993 when I was at university.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27And the other three were born after we moved to Fair Isle.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Get the gate, they'll just follow me in.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35Hollie and Deryk Shaw have lived here for 15 years.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37All right, open the gate.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Ythan is the youngest of their four children.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44And the only one who's still at home.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46- This one's snowball.- Snowball!
0:08:47 > 0:08:49That one's Napoleon.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Hollie and Deryk first came here to run the bird observatory.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00Now, they both work on their croft and turn their hand to
0:09:00 > 0:09:01a couple of other jobs, too.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Yeah, so that's fine.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Should keep it clean in here.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13Dust and any dirt.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27Here we are. It's just after 7.30 in the morning.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29We are ready for off, finally.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Cleared for...
0:09:31 > 0:09:32Cleared for take-off.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34The dogs are somewhere in the back, there.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37They've got their houses and baskets.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39I'm the pilot today.
0:09:39 > 0:09:40So far.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43There's Nanny. Bye, Nanny.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Nanny in her dressing gown.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- PEEPS HORN - Bye.
0:09:47 > 0:09:48Bye.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Fair Isle is in Britain,
0:09:55 > 0:09:59but it takes Shaun and Rachel three days by road and ferry
0:09:59 > 0:10:01to get themselves, their dogs
0:10:01 > 0:10:04and a removal lorry's worth of possessions to the south end
0:10:04 > 0:10:05of mainland Shetland.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Here, they are met by Fair Isle's ferry and crew,
0:10:11 > 0:10:14who will take them the final 24 miles across the North Sea.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19But first, they must load up all their worldly goods.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Right, Andy, in a bit.
0:10:24 > 0:10:25That's it.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28Off to the left, you're clear. There's nothing else in there then.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- What's that? - This is the baby grand piano.
0:10:31 > 0:10:32Rachel's baby grand piano.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35It's sentimental to Rachel as well
0:10:35 > 0:10:37but also she can play, play very well.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42It's literally all our life in a lorry.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45I'm looking forward to seeing this one coming out.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54I think it would have made the logistics a hell of a lot easier
0:10:54 > 0:10:59had we not brought the piano but, you know, I wanted it,
0:10:59 > 0:11:01so I've caused all sorts of chaos!
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Fair Isle's lifeline,
0:11:05 > 0:11:08the Good Shepherd IV, is the only way to get heavy goods
0:11:08 > 0:11:10on and off the island.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13And everything must be craned on.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Hello. Could we please have two
0:11:19 > 0:11:21one-way tickets to Fair Isle?
0:11:23 > 0:11:28Fair Isle, times two. £10.60, please.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40I think moving to Fair Isle,
0:11:40 > 0:11:43it offers us the opportunity to grow our own vegetables.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45I'd like to have chickens.
0:11:45 > 0:11:46You know, we'd like pigs.
0:11:46 > 0:11:47A real Good Life.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52There is, I think, you know,
0:11:52 > 0:11:56that sense of community that hasn't been around probably since our
0:11:56 > 0:11:57grandparents' day.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03It's the old-style community where people look out for each other,
0:12:03 > 0:12:06help each other, and generally care about each other.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- Did you have a good trip? - Yeah. You all right?
0:12:10 > 0:12:11- Thank you.- Good to see you.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Hello. Hello.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- Hello, sweetheart.- Good to see you. - You too.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20Are you all right?
0:12:20 > 0:12:23Good to see you.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25Are you all right, matey?!
0:12:27 > 0:12:30It's a splendid place to be yourself.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33You can't really pretend to be anything
0:12:33 > 0:12:36because everybody kens you
0:12:36 > 0:12:37and it's splendid.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41How many people do you know really, really well?
0:12:41 > 0:12:44I know all these people really, really well.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47I love them all. It's fantastic!
0:12:48 > 0:12:51It's been so nice. So many people turned out to see us.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54It's slightly overwhelming, to be honest,
0:12:54 > 0:12:56but it's lovely, nevertheless.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01Ah, you got me!
0:13:14 > 0:13:18Oh, my gosh! Have you seen this?
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Oh, my word!
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- No, sweetheart, they're from me! - From you?
0:13:24 > 0:13:26I arranged this with Mati.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- Did you?- Yeah.
0:13:28 > 0:13:34- Aw! Come here, you wally.- Welcome to our new home.- That's awesome.
0:13:34 > 0:13:35- Right?- Yeah.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38We've got to go round the other side.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40I'm coming round this other side - we're going in.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42All right?
0:13:42 > 0:13:45- It's not very wide. - It's going to go.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47Push up, guys. Push up.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50We're going to need to go single file.
0:13:52 > 0:13:53- OK, Martin?- OK?
0:13:55 > 0:13:56It's a step up for you guys,
0:13:56 > 0:13:58a step up.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10Thank you, guys, so, so much.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12You have gone above and beyond.
0:14:12 > 0:14:13Thank you.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19The average rental on Fair Isle will be round about
0:14:19 > 0:14:21the £500 a year mark.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26That's way below market value but it's done to make sure the burden of
0:14:26 > 0:14:29housing is kept to the minimum for islanders.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33We could never afford the size of house or land
0:14:33 > 0:14:35we will get in Barkland.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38It is a family house, it's a four-bedroomed house.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Follow me, Sebastian. I'm going to the utility.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43How come you chose Shaun and Rachel,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46and not people with children already for Barkland?
0:14:46 > 0:14:50That was actually quite easy because nobody applied with children.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- Hi, Mum!- Hi, love!
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Dining room.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02You can see I've not got far to go if there's a fire.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04The Fire Service.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08Or to take the kids to school when we have kids.
0:15:08 > 0:15:09Working on that one.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Thank you for all your help, all of you.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17Bye-bye. Bye-bye.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20We're in...ish.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23The dog has sicked on your sleeping bag, though, so...
0:15:23 > 0:15:25On the boat? Amazing!
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- My one's fine.- I might want to like...
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Urgh, and in the corner of the car.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35SHEEP BLEAT
0:15:43 > 0:15:47Today, Hollie and Deryk's middle children, Raven and Fyntan,
0:15:47 > 0:15:50are coming home from school.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- Hello, darling.- They have no transport.- No.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56What are you doing?
0:15:56 > 0:15:58There is no high school on Fair Isle.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02So, when children turn 11, they must board on the Shetland mainland.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07Youngest son Ythan is in his final year at primary school.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10After the summer, he will be the last of their children to leave.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- INTERVIEWER:- Do you think it's too young to go?
0:16:14 > 0:16:18- Ah...yeah.- Realistically, yes.
0:16:18 > 0:16:19Yes, it probably is.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22It would probably be better to go when they're 13...
0:16:22 > 0:16:2515 would be great but it's not an option.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27So... Everyone has a choice.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29We have a choice to live here or not live here.
0:16:29 > 0:16:30No-one's forced us to do this.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35And there's lots and lots of upsides to our situation.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37We get to live in this amazing place.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39The children... This is where they...
0:16:39 > 0:16:41The younger three, this is where they were born.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43They don't know anywhere else. This is home to them.
0:16:43 > 0:16:44This is their rite of passage -
0:16:44 > 0:16:46going to the high school is a rite of passage to them.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52But it's hard. You miss a lot of them.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54And it is a really difficult decision.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56There have been plenty of people over the years who've decided
0:16:56 > 0:16:58to leave for that very reason.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01As their child reaches 11, then they've left the island for that reason.
0:17:01 > 0:17:02So, it's not easy.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09Ythan is one of only five pupils at the island's tiny primary school.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14If no new kids are born or come to Fair Isle, the school could close.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18An island without a primary school is not a place for young families.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21OK.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24Next thing you're going to do is you're going to go back to doing
0:17:24 > 0:17:27your Kandinsky circle pictures.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29I think Ythan will be fine at high school.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31I think he will enjoy it.
0:17:31 > 0:17:36I'm sure he's quite scared at the moment.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38He'll enjoy it after a while.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41It's just difficult, very difficult at the start for them,
0:17:41 > 0:17:42adjusting to lots of children.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45After the summer holidays,
0:17:45 > 0:17:49Ythan will board at Anderson High School on mainland Shetland.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53But Fair Isle's tiny plane and boat can only bring the children home
0:17:53 > 0:17:56from the school's hostel if the weather permits.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01We only come home once every three weeks and just for three days.
0:18:06 > 0:18:07Are you looking forward to it then?
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Yeah, definitely.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11What sort of things are you looking forward to?
0:18:11 > 0:18:15Just being with Fyn and Raven more and...
0:18:15 > 0:18:18just more people to play football.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Anything you're going to miss from here?
0:18:23 > 0:18:28The playground. And that we all know each other really well.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45I'm starting the fire because there's certain, erm,
0:18:45 > 0:18:49things that you don't want in the normal rubbish.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Penny and Sue,
0:18:53 > 0:18:57they come round once a week and they take away our plastic bags which go
0:18:57 > 0:18:59out to Shetland on a skip,
0:18:59 > 0:19:01on the boat.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04And then we've got
0:19:04 > 0:19:06Jimmy, who, erm,
0:19:06 > 0:19:12gets the glass and tins and they go off separately.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15They, too, go off on a boat to Shetland.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20I've been fitting some new windows and there's a couple of foam containers
0:19:20 > 0:19:22and I know not
0:19:22 > 0:19:25what will happen to them but, at some stage,
0:19:25 > 0:19:27they will no doubt make a noise.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Are you supposed to burn those, John?
0:19:35 > 0:19:37I don't know what else to do with them.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Ian, my son, looks after the water scheme.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48When I first came here, we operated with wells.
0:19:48 > 0:19:53Then we built a dam and pumped the water from out
0:19:53 > 0:19:56of what the dam had held.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Later they put down boreholes.
0:20:00 > 0:20:05It'll go down to 300 feet until they get the right rock layer and there
0:20:05 > 0:20:08will be water they can extract from there.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11POWER STARTS
0:20:13 > 0:20:19The power comes on 7.30am and goes off at 11.30pm.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23There we go.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27They bring in diesel from Shetland on the boat.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31One of the team pumps it up and the generators keep going after that.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Obviously, the generators are much more expensive than the wind power.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46John's daughter, Fiona, manages the Fire and Rescue team.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58Another of her six jobs is running
0:20:58 > 0:21:01the island shop with her husband, Robert.
0:21:02 > 0:21:03Did you see that Thursday night?
0:21:03 > 0:21:06The shop, I think, plays quite a vital role,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09it does provide a bit of a hub for what's going on in the island.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- Hiya.- When we unload the boat, there's other people...
0:21:13 > 0:21:17It's not just us collecting the shop goods and putting it into our van.
0:21:18 > 0:21:23It is an instinctive thing that people will come and help, which is great.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29We're very reliant on the wholesalers and all the people we're
0:21:29 > 0:21:32in touch with in Shetland
0:21:32 > 0:21:35to, I think, understand the difficulties of getting stuff to a remote island.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41But you can go for several weeks when there's no gap...
0:21:41 > 0:21:45There's no gap in the weather that allows the boat to go, so
0:21:45 > 0:21:49that can go on. The longest maybe is about five or six weeks we've
0:21:49 > 0:21:51experienced whilst we've had the shop.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12It's not too bad there but then kind of...
0:22:12 > 0:22:13SHE PLAYS NOTES
0:22:13 > 0:22:15It starts going a bit.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19That's an especially lovely note there, right now.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24No, it's just a beautiful piano.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29When it's in tune, it has such a lovely, warm, kind of rich sound to it.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33I just really enjoy playing it when no-one's listening.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43Shaun and Rachel have been here a week.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48Until they arrived, crofter Ian Stout had been looking after their sheep.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52But now it's time for the new farmers to take over.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58Remember, your land just runs out along this fence here, to the rough
0:22:58 > 0:23:00grazing at the far end there.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02- You can see the change in the ground type.- Yeah.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05Then to this fence that runs along there.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07OK.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Just now you've got 24 ewes on here.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12- 24?- Then there's a bit this side too.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Goes up along the dyke, here.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Is it where the trailer is...?
0:23:17 > 0:23:21Out to the trailer there and another smaller part out there as well.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37I have got the pleasure in welcoming Shaun and Rachel.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41They have come and they've been worshipping with us all last year
0:23:41 > 0:23:43whenever they were not on duty at the bird observatory.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45They've got to know us.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Our good points, our bad points, all those sorts of things.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52We've had a good look at them and thought, "Well, we can put up with them,
0:23:52 > 0:23:54"if they want to come."
0:23:54 > 0:23:58We just wanted to give you the right hand of friendship and say, welcome.
0:23:58 > 0:23:59Thank you so much.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02We'll enjoy you and I think you're going to enjoy Fair Isle.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05- I think so. Yes.- Great blessings upon you.
0:24:05 > 0:24:06- Thank you.- And you, Shaun.
0:24:06 > 0:24:07- Thank you so much.- Thank you.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15Well, the cooker's in now, so at least we can get that on.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Well, the house is always open, you know that.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21Big push, big push this afternoon for more stuff.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23We only got up 20 minutes before.
0:24:23 > 0:24:24We were like, "Oh, my God!"
0:24:25 > 0:24:27- See you later, John.- Cheers. - Bye now.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29- Are you all right?- Yep.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46So this is what we are famous for, Fair Isle knitting.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48We don't know how long it's been going on.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53We do know they were producing knitwear to sell, or to barter,
0:24:53 > 0:24:57with ships as early as the 1690s.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00So it is obviously a skill that's been here for a very long time.
0:25:12 > 0:25:19Knitting has survived for hundreds of years because of a community that
0:25:19 > 0:25:24puts a lot of emphasis on passing on the skills and their tradition.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26I'm proof of it.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28Foreigner, you know,
0:25:28 > 0:25:33only eight years on the island and everyone here helped me to learn.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39We kind of do it quite similarly to how the ladies would have done it in
0:25:39 > 0:25:41the past because they would fit it around their lives.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44They would go out, feed their hens and they would make their children
0:25:44 > 0:25:46a meal or whatever, and what spare time they got,
0:25:46 > 0:25:49they would do some knitting to sell to some visitors.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51That's very much what we do.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54When people come and they buy knitwear from me,
0:25:54 > 0:25:58I have to go and do my shopping at the shop and I often go and say,
0:25:58 > 0:26:00"What comes in one hand, goes out the other,"
0:26:00 > 0:26:03because what people pay for my knitwear here
0:26:03 > 0:26:08helps to keep the shop and the shop family going as well.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19We are just setting up for the first cruise ship of the season that's
0:26:19 > 0:26:23coming tomorrow. It's pretty important for the knitters,
0:26:23 > 0:26:27because it is quite a high percentage of our sales goes to cruise ships.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32We've brought all the stock from the observatory shop.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37I brought all of Elisabeth's knitwear down as well, while she's away.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Mati is actually going to be away tomorrow, she's off island,
0:26:41 > 0:26:45so she's asked if I could step in and help to kind of mind her stall.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55- INTERVIEWER:- Are you going to start knitting, Rachel?- I would like to.
0:26:55 > 0:26:56I will make sure she does!
0:26:58 > 0:27:01No, it is one of the things I'm really, really excited about doing,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04is getting more involved...
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Hopefully helping out Mati in the future,
0:27:08 > 0:27:12doing some finishing work for her and getting involved that way,
0:27:12 > 0:27:17sort of get some experience before I can start doing my own sort of stuff
0:27:17 > 0:27:18to help out.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25Every year, sea birds and migrant birds arrive on Fair Isle in their
0:27:25 > 0:27:27hundreds of thousands.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32Following on behind come cruise ships full of bird-watchers.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37People with binoculars that point, and money to spend.
0:27:38 > 0:27:39Welcome to Fair Isle.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43So what we are planning to do here is do some bird-watching.
0:27:43 > 0:27:44And if you want to do that,
0:27:44 > 0:27:48we have Doug and Mark taking the bird-watching groups.
0:27:48 > 0:27:49If you want to walk on your own,
0:27:49 > 0:27:52there is one single road that takes you to the community hall, so enjoy.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54- Thank you.- OK, you are welcome.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18Yes, it suits your eyes, that one.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20Goes with your coat as well.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23- Thank you very much. - You are very welcome.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25Number...17. Would you like a bag?
0:28:25 > 0:28:28- No.- OK, thank you very much.- Lovely.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33Nearly always the cruise ships are a very good day for sales.
0:28:33 > 0:28:34This one is a small/medium.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38You've got basically 100 people who've come off a ship, who
0:28:38 > 0:28:42want to buy Fair Isle knitwear, so every store tends to do pretty well.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44So it is very important.
0:28:44 > 0:28:45We're only getting about a dozen a year,
0:28:45 > 0:28:48so it is not like there are lots of them.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50The detail on this is just amazing.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53Beautiful.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56If you know you've got something that
0:28:56 > 0:29:00is a little bit difficult to get hold of, then it keeps that specialness.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03There is a cachet to something that is bought on Fair Isle.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07- Do I rock it?- Absolutely.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11No-one can't rock a Fair Isle hat, everyone rocks a Fair Isle hat.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14- Of course, everybody should have one.- Absolutely.
0:29:14 > 0:29:15One, two, three...
0:29:15 > 0:29:17Yeah!
0:29:36 > 0:29:37This is where we live.
0:29:39 > 0:29:40And play.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45And this is where people come and stay at the guesthouse.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52Henry was five, almost six when we moved here.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55He's been here most of his life, that he can remember.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01Me too, almost.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04I can't remember anything else!
0:30:06 > 0:30:09Tommy is originally from upstate New York.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15In here is where I paint
0:30:15 > 0:30:19and make sculptures and listen to tunes.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24He came to Fair Isle ten years ago with his wife and son, Henry.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30The thing that made me
0:30:30 > 0:30:34learn about Fair Isle was a radio programme
0:30:34 > 0:30:37on the National Public Radio.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40It was like, "If you want to get away from it all,
0:30:40 > 0:30:44"there is a house to rent on the remote Fair Isle."
0:30:45 > 0:30:49It was something that really appealed to my wife at the time.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53She was the driving factor at the beginning.
0:30:54 > 0:30:59Even though my wife has moved on and lives in Shetland now,
0:30:59 > 0:31:02I still love the island and it is still Henry's home.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07The first few weeks I was here I could do nothing but just stare out
0:31:07 > 0:31:10the window. It was amazing.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15I think this is a unique place on Earth.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21I don't think I'll ever regret the decision to move here.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28Within two weeks of his arrival,
0:31:28 > 0:31:31Shaun has started working on the Good Shepherd,
0:31:31 > 0:31:33as a relief crew member.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37Which means other ferry staff can now have a much-needed day off.
0:31:42 > 0:31:43What do your duties entail, then?
0:31:44 > 0:31:46I am deckhand.
0:31:46 > 0:31:51So basically what I have to do is, I help load, secure.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56So as you've seen, secure the stuff into the hold,
0:31:56 > 0:31:58get stuff into the hold,
0:31:58 > 0:32:00make sure it is strapped down securely so it doesn't move.
0:32:00 > 0:32:05Today is not a bad day, really, not got any real motion, but on a bad day,
0:32:05 > 0:32:09if you can imagine the boat is pitching, rolling, stuff inside out.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11Usually by that stage I've gone to my bunk.
0:32:11 > 0:32:12Do you get sick?
0:32:14 > 0:32:15I have been.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17It is slowly getting better.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29This can be a very rough journey.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32A journey that...
0:32:32 > 0:32:37It enters into people's psyche, haunts their dreams.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39Quite literally.
0:32:39 > 0:32:40And...
0:32:43 > 0:32:48Yes, we've had an admiral of the fleet, who's been around the
0:32:48 > 0:32:51world four times,
0:32:51 > 0:32:54and he came on our boat and was sick for the first time in his life.
0:32:55 > 0:32:56That is true.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00The admiral. It's about the second worst stretch of water in the UK.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05And it is where we have our bay.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07Most folk avoid it.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16After decades of unreliable mail boats,
0:33:16 > 0:33:20the first Good Shepherd came into service in 1921.
0:33:20 > 0:33:25Each new boat has seen vast improvements for the islanders' lifeline
0:33:25 > 0:33:27to the Shetland mainland.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34The Good Shepherd IV is now over 30 years old.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38The islanders need a ferry that carries more cargo,
0:33:38 > 0:33:40and makes them less seasick.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45The community are pressing Shetland Islands Council for a replacement.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47But for now, they have to make do.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58- SHIPPING FORECAST:- ..Fair Isle, south-westerly, veering westerly,
0:33:58 > 0:34:01five or six, occasionally seven...
0:34:07 > 0:34:09When is the boat going to be here?
0:34:09 > 0:34:1125 past.
0:34:11 > 0:34:12Now.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15- No, it's 20 past. - A few minutes' time.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21Children are coming home from school and they are supposed to come in the
0:34:21 > 0:34:26plane, but the plane was cancelled due to low cloud and rain
0:34:26 > 0:34:34and so they've opted for the four-hour Lerwick to Fair Isle,
0:34:34 > 0:34:38four and a half hours on a boat in bad seas.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42So the kids
0:34:42 > 0:34:46are desperate to get home, and willing to endure that for
0:34:46 > 0:34:48the weekend, for their families.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50- It's a long trip.- I think she'll have probably been sick.
0:34:50 > 0:34:51Yeah!
0:34:51 > 0:34:53She's almost certainly been sick.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59But she really, really wanted to come home, so that was...
0:34:59 > 0:35:00She knew that before she got on.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04- Yes.- She's quite stoic, really.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32- I wasn't sick.- She wasn't sick.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34- Were you not?- No. Hardcore.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37- She said other people were sick. - Hardcore.- It was disgusting.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40Been on that for five hours now.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44Going up and down, and up and down, and up...
0:35:44 > 0:35:46Was the boat rocking from side to side?
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Yes. Did you see the waves in the window?
0:35:49 > 0:35:50Yes.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53HE LAUGHS
0:36:07 > 0:36:11Rachel had hoped for a few more weeks to unpack and settle in.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15But at short notice, the cook at the bird observatory has left.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18So she's had to step in, working full-time,
0:36:18 > 0:36:22catering for up to 40 full-board guests at the Observatory Lodge.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30And like all the other islanders, she's already taken on another job.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34Two, three weeks after we moved here,
0:36:34 > 0:36:37I started coming down to Mati's a few days a week,
0:36:37 > 0:36:39just for a couple of hours in the afternoon.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42And she's been teaching me,
0:36:42 > 0:36:45and I'm quite slow but I'm really enjoying it.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48- INTERVIEWER:- Are you doing this on your break, then?
0:36:48 > 0:36:52Yes, I tend just to dash home, get changed, come back here and
0:36:52 > 0:36:55it doesn't feel like work, I find it very relaxing.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57It is very nice.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09Have you found yourself giving Rachel advice about island life?
0:37:10 > 0:37:15I have always said that Fair Isle is a testing ground for marriages!
0:37:18 > 0:37:24You are both 24 hours a day with each other and when you go out to do
0:37:24 > 0:37:26a job, you're doing it with the same people
0:37:26 > 0:37:28you are seeing every single day.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32Which your partner is seeing as well,
0:37:32 > 0:37:37so there are no networks, outside networks, for you to release any tension.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40You can't go and bitch about your partner with your girls,
0:37:40 > 0:37:44because they will tell that to their partners.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46It all goes round.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49It is very difficult, it is like a big family.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53In a way. And nothing passes unnoticed.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57Yes, you can do nothing here without everybody knowing about it.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00I went running once this year outside, never doing that again.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04Because everybody wanted to talk about it.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07Two days later. "Oh, I saw you running."
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Yes, you can do nothing here without everybody knowing,
0:38:09 > 0:38:11and also what you've bought.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13If you order something and it comes in on the boat,
0:38:13 > 0:38:15it's lifted up on the crane and put on the pier, everybody is like,
0:38:15 > 0:38:17"Oh, you've got a new whatever."
0:38:19 > 0:38:23Yes, if you wanted to keep something secret, you'd have to make an effort.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28There's no anonymity here because it is a glasshouse.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31If you...
0:38:32 > 0:38:35..throw something in the air then it lands back on your head.
0:38:37 > 0:38:42So, if you want anonymity, go and live in London, Glasgow,
0:38:42 > 0:38:43somewhere like that.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50Some traditions are unchangeable.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55For as long as Fair Isle has been a crofting community,
0:38:55 > 0:38:57a hill gathering has happened three times a year.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03Sheep must be sheared, and whether they run a croft or not,
0:39:03 > 0:39:06everyone comes together to help out.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09There are more coming now.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13Guests from the observatory,
0:39:13 > 0:39:18children from the crofts, and the dogs from the crofts.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20Every man and his dog, really.
0:39:25 > 0:39:30If you pull too hard, what happens is you can pull out a bit of skin.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39- Are you all right? - Yes.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47How much do you normally get for a fleece?
0:39:47 > 0:39:52I don't think it is very much, £2 maybe, £3, something like that.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54It's not a lot.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56We don't clip it for the money, we clip it
0:39:56 > 0:39:58for the welfare of the sheep.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Because it gets too hot otherwise.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02Sometimes, when it gets sunny here.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08Crofting on Fair Isle involves rearing sheep and running a smallholding.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11It is part of the island's heritage.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13Crofters here also share the sheep
0:40:13 > 0:40:15which live on the north of the island,
0:40:15 > 0:40:17set aside for common grazing.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20Is crofting a profitable lifestyle?
0:40:20 > 0:40:24No. It is a very simple answer, no.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27But it is a way of life.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32Do you think it is important that crofting as a way of life does
0:40:32 > 0:40:36- continue on Fair Isle?- I don't think Fair Isle would survive.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Fair Isle, I think,
0:40:40 > 0:40:45works particularly well because it is
0:40:45 > 0:40:47community-based.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52Time to eat and go to bed.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54I'm up for the boat in the morning.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09The National Trust for Scotland's job is to protect natural and human
0:41:09 > 0:41:13heritage. Which means making sure Fair Isle remains habitable.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22The Trust's area manager, Alexander Bennett,
0:41:22 > 0:41:24visits several times a year.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27His priority right now is Midway croft house.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29It could be a home for another family.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33One of the priorities for Fair Isle,
0:41:33 > 0:41:36for National Trust for Scotland and for the community,
0:41:36 > 0:41:38is to grow the population.
0:41:38 > 0:41:44And to do that, we need to get as many houses renovated as we can.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47This is clearly an opportunity for us for the future.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51We would basically want to completely renovate the house inside
0:41:51 > 0:41:54with a view to maybe trying to get this done within the next year.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56As soon as we get things underway,
0:41:56 > 0:41:58we will probably advertise for a new family.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01How much is it going to cost to renovate Midway?
0:42:01 > 0:42:05It is going to be in the order of something between 150 and 200,000.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07Or thereabouts.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10- Who pays for that? - Well, at the moment,
0:42:10 > 0:42:13we will get a grant from the government of £60,000
0:42:13 > 0:42:15from Innovation Scotland.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18That helps to provide housing in remote areas.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21But the balance will have to be found.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24That's where National Trust for Scotland will probably have to dig deep.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57In about half an hour, I need to go to work, OK?
0:43:00 > 0:43:02There we go. Let's go for a walk.
0:43:05 > 0:43:06What time do you start work?
0:43:06 > 0:43:09I start work at 7.30.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18Just going to rescue the stuff that has blown off the line now!
0:43:18 > 0:43:20- Really?- Yeah.
0:43:22 > 0:43:28Working at the obs, when I finish there, between 2.00 and 2.30,
0:43:28 > 0:43:32I go down to Mati's and do some of the knitwear stuff with her.
0:43:32 > 0:43:34So that's normally a couple of hours.
0:43:34 > 0:43:36Then it is time to get changed again and back to work,
0:43:36 > 0:43:40and then it is normally 7.30 by the time we finish there.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44I don't think I really factored in the kind of...
0:43:44 > 0:43:47how sort of tiring I'd find it, you know,
0:43:47 > 0:43:50trying to do that and then wanting to come back here
0:43:50 > 0:43:52and get stuff done here.
0:43:52 > 0:43:56So I think it is probably trying to get used to it and...
0:43:56 > 0:44:02But at the moment it does feel slightly overwhelming that I'm there
0:44:02 > 0:44:05until November, until the end of the season.
0:44:05 > 0:44:08There is washing out on the line.
0:44:08 > 0:44:13Will you just check it from time to time because one of the dog duvets
0:44:13 > 0:44:15flew off already once?
0:44:15 > 0:44:19- No problem.- And there's a load in the washing machine at the moment.
0:44:19 > 0:44:21- Come on, Simon. - HE PEEPS HORN
0:44:25 > 0:44:26Thank you very much.
0:44:28 > 0:44:31Right, I will see you about two o'clock.
0:44:31 > 0:44:34- OK.- Have a good day.- You too.
0:44:34 > 0:44:35Don't forget the laundry.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38"Don't forget the laundry, have a good day."
0:44:38 > 0:44:39Are they the two rules?
0:44:39 > 0:44:42Just don't forget the laundry if you can only remember one
0:44:42 > 0:44:45- of them.- So don't have a good day?
0:44:45 > 0:44:47See you in a bit.
0:44:49 > 0:44:50It is all
0:44:50 > 0:44:52long days, short nights.
0:44:54 > 0:44:57There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the bed.
0:44:59 > 0:45:01Even if you go to bed at a reasonable hour,
0:45:01 > 0:45:03you end up getting up early.
0:45:05 > 0:45:09They are shearing sheep up there, we should be shearing ours, really.
0:45:10 > 0:45:11Generally the rule is,
0:45:11 > 0:45:14we will have a look about and if we see other people put their washing
0:45:14 > 0:45:17out, we go, "It's got to be right, get it out."
0:45:17 > 0:45:21I've got washing in here anyway as well, so if I don't,
0:45:21 > 0:45:22I will get shot.
0:45:22 > 0:45:25By the firing squad.
0:45:33 > 0:45:36Do you know what, I'm going to give this up in a minute.
0:45:46 > 0:45:49We are very, very sad to say
0:45:49 > 0:45:51cheerio to Ythan today.
0:45:53 > 0:45:57So, I'm going to get upset more than him now.
0:45:57 > 0:45:59He's been upset all morning, now it's my turn.
0:45:59 > 0:46:01So we are really going to miss you, Ythan.
0:46:01 > 0:46:04Thank you very much, he's been here for two years of nursery and
0:46:04 > 0:46:06completed seven years at primary school.
0:46:07 > 0:46:09And he's been absolutely brilliant.
0:46:09 > 0:46:12Haven't you? We are really going to miss you.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14So, thank you all very much for coming,
0:46:14 > 0:46:17please stay and have some coffee and cake and it'll be time for everybody
0:46:17 > 0:46:19to go home, and we hope you all have a great summer holiday.
0:46:19 > 0:46:20Don't we? Thank you.
0:46:20 > 0:46:22APPLAUSE
0:46:45 > 0:46:47THEY GIGGLE
0:46:52 > 0:46:56- INTERVIEWER:- How does Fair Isle change in the summer when the kids come home?
0:46:56 > 0:46:59It is quite different to have kids around.
0:47:00 > 0:47:04There's a big shortage of young people on Fair Isle.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18I've got a small cushion star.
0:47:20 > 0:47:26Now, what's really special about these is none of them had been seen
0:47:26 > 0:47:30further than Northern Ireland.
0:47:30 > 0:47:33Until I found one up here.
0:47:39 > 0:47:41It is in the back of my mind the whole time,
0:47:41 > 0:47:45this is Ythan's last summer before he goes to high school.
0:47:45 > 0:47:47Every single day I'm thinking about it.
0:47:47 > 0:47:50The other day we were told what time the flight would be the day they go
0:47:50 > 0:47:54back to school, and it kind of, you know, I know it's coming.
0:47:54 > 0:47:55Because he's my last one.
0:47:55 > 0:47:57It is really significant.
0:47:57 > 0:47:59I'm kind of dreading it, really.
0:48:01 > 0:48:02How are you going to help him?
0:48:02 > 0:48:04Are you going to be able to help him, you two?
0:48:04 > 0:48:09The whole time. We are going to be there for him because he's got loads
0:48:09 > 0:48:11of people there, he's got all the house parents,
0:48:11 > 0:48:13he's got Mr McGhee, he's got
0:48:13 > 0:48:18all these different people who are just the year above him or the same
0:48:18 > 0:48:21year as him, or even just two years above him, which is my year.
0:48:21 > 0:48:25And he's got both me and Fyn, we can play guitar every weekend.
0:48:25 > 0:48:29And he's going to make loads of friends because he is really easy to
0:48:29 > 0:48:34talk to and he's good at communicating with people.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36He won't have any trouble, he'll be fine.
0:48:59 > 0:49:02It is Sunday today so we've just finished Sunday lunch service at the
0:49:02 > 0:49:06obs, we finished about ten past two,
0:49:06 > 0:49:10came home, got changed, had a quick coffee.
0:49:10 > 0:49:14And we've just come out now for baling and then it is...
0:49:14 > 0:49:17Not really sure how long it'll take to get through,
0:49:17 > 0:49:19we've not got a huge silage park there,
0:49:19 > 0:49:21so it shouldn't take too long.
0:49:21 > 0:49:23And then back at work at five.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33I've just been finding that I've just not really had the time that
0:49:33 > 0:49:37I envisaged myself having to kind of get the house straight.
0:49:38 > 0:49:42And, you know, feel like I'm actually playing a part in the community by
0:49:42 > 0:49:43doing things like baling.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46I mean, I think I only made it out for two afternoons.
0:49:47 > 0:49:48People keep saying, you know,
0:49:48 > 0:49:50"Oh, you've got to make time for yourselves."
0:49:50 > 0:49:52But then you sort of think, you know,
0:49:52 > 0:49:55on the odd occasion where we have had a day off together,
0:49:55 > 0:49:58"Actually, I need to get on with the roof," or,
0:49:58 > 0:50:00"I need to get on with this." And so it's kind of...
0:50:00 > 0:50:02- Or baling, or...- Yeah.
0:50:02 > 0:50:08So I think we've identified the fact that it's not us, it's not...
0:50:08 > 0:50:11You know, it's not going to be like this forever, this is it,
0:50:11 > 0:50:12this is as good as it gets.
0:50:12 > 0:50:14I think we've identified the fact that
0:50:14 > 0:50:19one of the major things that has been making us kind of get at
0:50:19 > 0:50:21each other has been that,
0:50:21 > 0:50:27you know, I'm having no time off and I'm getting stressed and
0:50:27 > 0:50:33getting at Shaun. So I've given my month's notice,
0:50:33 > 0:50:35which takes us up to Thursday.
0:50:50 > 0:50:52All right, then. I think you're sorted.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56That's everything. You might want to take,
0:50:56 > 0:51:00like, another game that you can play, rather than just electronic games.
0:51:00 > 0:51:01- Mmm.- Like a...
0:51:02 > 0:51:04One of your little quiz games or something.
0:51:04 > 0:51:07- Yeah.- Cos you might spend a bit of time, especially at the weekends,
0:51:07 > 0:51:10you know, you might spend a bit of time by yourself
0:51:10 > 0:51:11until Fyntan gets up.
0:51:12 > 0:51:15- Yeah?- I did think about taking my moon ball.
0:51:15 > 0:51:17- This thing?- Yeah.- OK.
0:51:19 > 0:51:21Yeah, we can take that. That's only little.
0:51:21 > 0:51:24You've got all those big corridors you can play in when there's nobody
0:51:24 > 0:51:26else there at the weekend.
0:51:26 > 0:51:27Yeah?
0:51:28 > 0:51:30Need a bigger boot, now.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40Would you consider leaving?
0:51:41 > 0:51:42- Yes.- Never say never.
0:51:42 > 0:51:44We have considered it.
0:51:44 > 0:51:46I mean, we considered it
0:51:46 > 0:51:4915 years ago. When Lachlan went to the high school,
0:51:49 > 0:51:51we considered leaving then.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54As soon as he went. But he said, "You can't leave Fair Isle, Mum.
0:51:54 > 0:51:56"You've got to stay here. I want you to stay here.
0:51:56 > 0:51:58"I want to go."
0:51:58 > 0:52:00And that's happened every time.
0:52:00 > 0:52:03They've each gone and they didn't want us to leave Fair Isle.
0:52:04 > 0:52:07All right, kids. Get in that plane!
0:52:16 > 0:52:17Bye, Ma.
0:52:19 > 0:52:21- Look after...- I will.
0:52:24 > 0:52:26HE SOBS
0:52:28 > 0:52:30You're going to be fine, OK?
0:52:31 > 0:52:32Huh?
0:52:34 > 0:52:37- Of course you're going to be fine. - Mum, I have to go.
0:52:42 > 0:52:45- Don't cry, it's going to be fun. - Come on, you're going to be fine.
0:52:45 > 0:52:46It'll be good.
0:52:47 > 0:52:49Lots of exciting things to do now.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51Out in the big, wide world.
0:52:52 > 0:52:56With your brother and sister to see every day.
0:52:56 > 0:52:57- Yeah?- Is he getting in here?
0:53:02 > 0:53:03You'll be fine.
0:53:05 > 0:53:07I think... I think you're in here.
0:53:07 > 0:53:09Now, then. OK, darling?
0:53:09 > 0:53:11All right? You be good.
0:53:11 > 0:53:13- Have fun.- You'll be fine.
0:53:14 > 0:53:16See you in a couple of weeks.
0:53:19 > 0:53:21All right?
0:53:21 > 0:53:23- See you, Raven.- Bye.
0:54:18 > 0:54:20Well, that's it.
0:54:45 > 0:54:47How does it make you feel, that he's gone?
0:54:48 > 0:54:50Oh...
0:54:53 > 0:54:56Oh, I know, it's a bit strange.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01I miss him. Yeah, of course I do.
0:55:01 > 0:55:02Anybody would.
0:55:04 > 0:55:06When a child leaves home...
0:55:06 > 0:55:07I mean, he is only 11.
0:55:08 > 0:55:10Very young to be going out there.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15I mean, it is effectively leaving home.
0:55:15 > 0:55:18You notice vast changes when they come home, you know?
0:55:18 > 0:55:20They've grown up so much, you know?
0:55:20 > 0:55:24Become streetwise, or whatever you want to call it.
0:55:25 > 0:55:29But, yeah, they do grow up fast when they go out there.
0:55:29 > 0:55:31Yeah, they've not left home but they grow up fast.
0:55:31 > 0:55:34I mean, they even physically grow fast, because it tends to hit...
0:55:34 > 0:55:37Coincide with the age when they start to have growth spurts.
0:55:37 > 0:55:38So they can come home, you know,
0:55:38 > 0:55:42three weeks since you saw them and you can physically see they've grown.
0:55:42 > 0:55:46You're like, wow... Well, they start to overtake me, so...
0:55:46 > 0:55:47Quite quickly.
0:55:48 > 0:55:51- Yeah. So... - Do you feel like you're missing out?
0:55:51 > 0:55:52Oh, no question about it.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55- Oh, yeah.- Absolutely. Yeah, missing a lot, yeah.
0:55:55 > 0:55:57And it's very hard.
0:55:57 > 0:56:00It's... And, again, up till now, although we're missing out,
0:56:00 > 0:56:04we've always had one that you've still got...
0:56:04 > 0:56:07At least one you've still got at home to sort of fill that gap.
0:56:07 > 0:56:09But, no, we're definitely missing out.
0:56:09 > 0:56:12There's no question about that.
0:56:12 > 0:56:13It's...
0:56:14 > 0:56:17It's the major downside to living here.
0:56:47 > 0:56:49I feel more relaxed than...
0:56:49 > 0:56:54You know, just about life in general, than I have in years.
0:56:54 > 0:56:56And I love it. I mean... I say,
0:56:56 > 0:56:59we've only been here five minutes and I know we've not experienced
0:56:59 > 0:57:01a Fair Isle winter yet, we've got that to look forward to
0:57:01 > 0:57:03and I'm sure, you know,
0:57:03 > 0:57:07ask me in kind of four or five months and I'll be kind of sobbing
0:57:07 > 0:57:10into my cocoa or something, but...
0:57:10 > 0:57:12But, no, I think it's just...
0:57:13 > 0:57:16I just feel like we're doing something here.
0:57:16 > 0:57:17We're building up to stuff and, you know,
0:57:17 > 0:57:22we will be growing our own and we will have polytunnels and we will
0:57:22 > 0:57:25have the chickens, the hens and, you know,
0:57:25 > 0:57:27we will have the potato patch out here.
0:57:27 > 0:57:29And it's...
0:57:29 > 0:57:31We will have the 2.4 children.
0:57:33 > 0:57:36Can we not just have more dogs instead?
0:57:45 > 0:57:50Next time, winter descends and the festive season brings families
0:57:50 > 0:57:52and friends back to the isle.
0:57:53 > 0:57:56Ythan will have to find his feet at school on Shetland.
0:57:56 > 0:57:57He's been fairly homesick.
0:57:57 > 0:57:59I think we kind of expected it.
0:57:59 > 0:58:01Just because of the nature of him.
0:58:01 > 0:58:04And Shaun and Rachel are finding life together on Fair Isle
0:58:04 > 0:58:06increasingly hard.
0:58:06 > 0:58:09Rachel! You can't stand here!
0:58:09 > 0:58:11I know, that's why I'm going!