Fair Isle residents: ‘I can’t think of a better place in the world – it’s ideal’

Published on 03/10/2012 02:26

TOMMY Hyndman, 49, was an artist and hat-maker working in Saratoga Springs, in New York State, when he and his wife, Liz, upped sticks with son Henry, 11, to move to one of the most remote islands in the world.

“I moved to Fair Isle with my family in 2006 after answering a recruitment ad by the National Trust for Scotland – and I can’t think of a better place in the world,” he said.

“It is the most beautiful location, with spectacular scenery, brilliant wildlife and amazing heritage known throughout the world. There are many lovely islands in the world, but the heritage of Fair Isle, and its knitting, is known everywhere. When you put that with everything else on offer here, including the lovely community, it makes the island an ideal destination.

“I now live in the Auld Haa House built for the Laird in the early 1700s. I have an artist studio and gallery at the south lighthouse, and help Liz run our guesthouse. A few hours every month I train as a member of the Coastguard team.

“There are parts of America we miss, but we couldn’t wait to come back. It is such a beautiful place you can’t stop looking out of the window all the time.”

The family post Fair Isle updates on a blog, and entertain visitors by carrying out tours.