Family hails new-found freedom of island life as search begins for new residents
For Katy Phenix, partner Josh Moore and their two young children, a new life is just beginning on Fair Isle after they left the rat race behind.
A family has spoken of their new-found freedom on a Scottish island as a search begin for new residents.
Katy Phenix, her partner Josh Moore and their two children - Teddy, 11 and Hetty, six - have relocated to Fair Isle from North Yorkshire.
Ms Phenix, a primary school teacher and Mr Moore, an electrican, took “a leap of faith” and moved to Fair Isle - which sits around 24 miles south of the Shetland mainland - after long talking about the need for a change in direction and a step away from the rat race.
They made the decision to move after National Trust for Scotland advertised a rarely available five-bedroom house and croft on the island, which is owned and managed by the conservation charity, and the search for a family to take it on.
Ms Phenix said: “We had been feeling for a while like we were stuck in the rat race with our jobs and tied to a big mortgage, and we wanted a better life for our kids and more quality time with them. We saw this opportunity and although it’s a very big change, it felt like what we were looking for, so we took a leap of faith.”
The family was selected through the application process by a panel from the trust and members of the community, and after selling their house and tying things up in North Yorkshire, they arrived in Fair Isle in July.
Mr Moore’s expertise as an electrician has gone to good use on a mass battery installation for Fair Isle’s Grid Resilience project, and various other jobs across the island. Meanwhile, Ms Phenix has taken a post working in early years at the nursery, and the children have started at the local school.
Ms Phenix added: “I think that to live here, you have to be open to all opportunities and be really flexible. It’s very different to move from a guaranteed income to a more freelance style of working, but there is so much opportunity for work to come in, and Josh has almost been too busy already. We’re adapting to a slower pace and enjoying the freedom.”
As the couple join the island community, NTS is now looking for another family to move to Fair Isle after another house came up for rent, with a large five-bedroom house and 12-acre croft available from October.
Marie Bruhat, Chair of Fair Isle Development Company and Eileen Thomson, Chair of Fair Isle Committee said: "Fair Isle is looking forward to welcoming the next residents to our wonderful island. We are a small but dynamic community of around 50, with an excellent primary school and nursery, a beautiful natural environment and a great way of life for those who want to work hard to contribute to community life.
“It’s a fantastic place to raise a family, we are always keen to welcome practical, adaptable and sociable people. There are many work opportunities here especially for those with trades experience. Our lifeline ferry and retained firefighting crew always need able recruits, and there is the chance to work crafting our world-famous Fair Isle knitwear. Crofting life means being flexible and being good at multi-tasking, being able to do things yourself and enjoying the freedom that brings.
“Outgoing tenants Hollie, Deryk and family have been such wonderful members of the Fair Isle community for more than 25 years, and while they have big shoes to fill, we hope the new tenants have just as positive an impact on the Isle, and that they enjoy making Burkle and Fair Isle their new home."
While the application is open to all, the trust encourages people with direct experience in crofting and land management, trade skills such as plumbing expertise, joinery, or maritime skills, or those with craft skills looking to develop their business on the island or contribute to preserving the Fair Isle knitting tradition, to apply.
Angus Murray, the National Trust for Scotland’s Operations Manager for Fair Isle, said: “We’ve been very excited to welcome Katy, Josh, Teddy, and Hetty to the Fair Isle community and it’s great that there is a chance for another family to come this year as well. We’re inviting applications from hard-working and enthusiastic people who will bring skill, creativity, and care to this special place.”
Fair Isle benefits from a primary school and nursery, local shop, post office, and an active community hall that hosts regular events.
Ms Phenix said: “I would encourage anyone with an open mind and the willingness to join a really social and supportive community to apply. Everyone is so friendly and helpful and we don’t feel at all isolated. The shop is fantastic, the internet is better than where we lived in North Yorkshire, and we have this beautiful landscape on our doorstep.
“We’re really excited to start our vegetable patch, take on some sheep and hens, and welcome our family and friends to stay so we can show off this special place. We’ve done so many nature walks with the kids since we arrived and seen puffins and wildlife that we just didn’t get to experience before. We’re so happy to be here and looking forward to everything that comes next.”
To apply for the available residential lease of the house and the croft tenancy on Fair Isle, please email [email protected] for an application pack. You will be asked to provide information on how you would support yourself in the community and make best use of this opportunity. This would include any experience you have in crofting or agriculture.
All applicants will be asked to complete and submit by Sunday 8 November 2026.
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