Fair Isle
This morning the Endeavour called at the small island north of mainland Scotland, Fair Isle. This remote bit of land is home to many more sheep than people. The knitwear produced here is of excellent quality and Fair Isle sweaters are known throughout the world. We went ashore in light rain and fog in search of more than mittens and jumpers. There are numerous sea birds to be found nesting ashore or foraging at sea. Northern gannets glided over our Zodiacs while Atlantic puffins and black guillemots dove at our approach. Fulmars and kittiwakes dotted the cliffs, their cries echoing from precarious perches. Grey seals, partly curious and partly timid surfaced at a safe distance to inspect us. At the end of our walk ashore, we came upon several small boats hauled out well above the reach of high water. These boats were each made by hand, elegant in form yet not finely finished. No two the same but similarly constructed. Built to be utilitarian, durable and without frills. The vessels reflect the conditions where they’re used, the builders who fashioned them and the land itself; rugged, simple, durable.
This morning the Endeavour called at the small island north of mainland Scotland, Fair Isle. This remote bit of land is home to many more sheep than people. The knitwear produced here is of excellent quality and Fair Isle sweaters are known throughout the world. We went ashore in light rain and fog in search of more than mittens and jumpers. There are numerous sea birds to be found nesting ashore or foraging at sea. Northern gannets glided over our Zodiacs while Atlantic puffins and black guillemots dove at our approach. Fulmars and kittiwakes dotted the cliffs, their cries echoing from precarious perches. Grey seals, partly curious and partly timid surfaced at a safe distance to inspect us. At the end of our walk ashore, we came upon several small boats hauled out well above the reach of high water. These boats were each made by hand, elegant in form yet not finely finished. No two the same but similarly constructed. Built to be utilitarian, durable and without frills. The vessels reflect the conditions where they’re used, the builders who fashioned them and the land itself; rugged, simple, durable.
