I Flew To The UK’s Most Isolated Island (And Came Straight Back)

Journey to Foula

• ✈️ The journey to Foula involves a 15-20 minute flight on an 8-seater Britten-Norman Islander from Tingwall Airport, Shetland.
• 💸 A return ticket costs £106.38, and the flight is a Public Service Obligation lifeline for the island, operating 7-13 times a week, subject to weather.
• 🚢 Alternatively, Foula can be reached by a ferry service that runs three times a week, with a crossing time of approximately two hours and 15 minutes.

Foula: A Remote Scottish Island

• 📍 Foula is situated 20 miles west of the Shetland Islands and is home to around 30 residents.
• ⛰️ The island is characterized by its wild and dramatic landscape, featuring huge sea cliffs like Da Sneug, which is the second highest cliff in the UK at 376m.
• 🐦 Foula is renowned for its impressive seabird colonies, thriving on its rugged cliffs.

Defining Remoteness

• 🗺️ There's a discussion about whether Foula or Fair Isle is the UK's most remote inhabited island.
• 📏 Fair Isle is geographically further (24 miles from Shetland vs. Foula's 20 miles), but Foula feels more isolated due to its smaller population and fewer amenities like a shop.
• 🏝️ Other remote Scottish islands, such as St. Kilda, are mentioned, though they are not permanently inhabited.

Aerial Views and Return

• 🚁 The flight provided incredible views of the Shetland mainland, including its voes (sea inlets) and fish farms, which contribute significantly to Scotland's mussel production.
• 🔄 The speaker made a quick return trip to Shetland mainland after landing, taking advantage of good weather and a spare seat on the plane.
• 💺 On the return journey, the speaker was the only passenger and had the opportunity to sit in the co-pilot seat.