Getting to Fair Isle is part of the adventure. As you might expect, visiting Britain's remotest inhabited island does require a bit of forward planning - but it's not too difficult and well worth the effort. 

• The secret is to decide when you would like to visit and BOOK your boat or plane to the island as soon as you can! (details below),  arranging the rest of your journey to tie in with this.

• We meet our guests on arrival in Fair Isle and transport them to the lighthouse - returning them to their departure point when leaving.

(N.B. All routes go via Shetland; there are currently no  direct links between Fair Isle and Orkney or  mainland Britain.)

SUMMER (May - October) 

On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays The Good Shepherd sails between  Fair Isle and the Shetland Mainland. Passenger spaces are fairly limited so ring 01595 760363 for bookings and information.

On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays you can fly with Directflight to and from Shetland. Ring 01595 840246 for bookings and information.

Shetland can be reached on the overnight ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick which sails every evening - on alternate nights it also calls in at Orkney.  For information and booking ring Northlink Ferries, tel: 0845 6000449.

There are also regular flights to Sumburgh airport** from a number of British locations, including Orkney.

It has been brought to our attention that there may have been instances of an initial interest in visiting Fair Isle not being pursued due to island transport not being available at the required time - if this happens to you, please do let us know.

If there is evidence of this happening additional regular transport could be provided in the future. Your experience would be most valuable in helping to secure this.

Making Connections in Shetland

The Good Shepherd usually docks at Grutness at the  extreme south end of the Shetland Mainland. This is very close to Sumburgh airport, which can be reached on foot or a short bus ride.

Lerwick can be reached from Grutness on a regular service bus. (Service 6, for timetable see http://www.leaskstravel.co.uk/bus-timetables/sumburgh.shtml) 

Every second Thursday The Good Shepherd sails all the way to Lerwick.

Planes usually fly to Tingwall airport**, just outside Lerwick. There is no regular public  transport between Tingwall and Lerwick but a subsidised taxi can be arranged (details below*). On Saturdays there is also a flight between Fair Isle and Sumburgh airport**.

Drivers may wish to bring their car to Shetland on the Aberdeen-Lerwick ferry and leave it at Tingwall or Grutness. Only a very limited number of cars can be carried on the deck of The Good Shepherd but if you do require a car it is possible to hire one on the island.

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For more detailed travel information, including how to get here in the winter months, please contact us.

You may also find Fair Isle's web site useful -

www.fairisle.org.uk

Fair Isle is one Britain's last genuinely remote places. Weather can change rapidly and it is very possible - even in summer - for the island to be cut off for a day or two (without transport in or out), therefore

1.  TTTTUUUsers of advance tickets valid for a specic journey should allow for delays.

2. Those exploring Shetland should visit Fair Isle early in holiday.

3. Visitors may wish to consider travel insurance.  

The Good Shepherd and DirectFlight only charge for journeys undertaken and if delayed they will carry you on their next available trip.

(We do not charge guests for any nights that they have been unable to reach the island due to inclement weather but extra nights stayed will be charged at the standard rate.) 

NB. Travellers should carry the following telephone numbers with them -

• 01595 760355 - us!

• 01595 743978 - the latest ferry news

• 01595 840246 - Tingwall airport

• 01595 745745 - Lerwick-Tingwall subsidised taxi*, ring a day or two beforehand to book

   

  *The subsidised taxi service from Lerwick to Tingwall is operated by the Shetland Islands Council - to book a taxi please ring 01595 745745 during weekday office hours and no later than the day before your journey.
  

  **There is no direct public transport between Sumburgh and Tingwall airports - a distance of some 25 miles. (See the above bus timetable link for Sumburgh - Lerwick services.)