Wanted: 'Resourceful' tenants for croft on UK's remotest island

A "rare" opportunity has come up to live and work on the UK's most remote inhabited island - but only for people with certain sets of skills.

Fair Isle lies half way between Orkney and Shetland and is famed for its knitwear and as a haven for thousands of seabirds.

National Trust for Scotland (NTS), which owns most of the three-mile (5km) long island, has sought tenants for a croft that comes with a four-bedroom house and about 15 acres (6ha) of land.

NTS said the tenancy would suit "resourceful and enthusiastic" people who were already experienced in crofting, and have a trade or could contribute to the isle's knitwear industry.

Fair Isle is home to about 60 people. It has a primary school and nursery, a shop, post office and community hall.

It can be reached by sea or air from mainland Shetland.

The house that is available for let has oil heating, electricity supplied by the island's renewable power schemes, a phone and internet services.

A croft is small holding and crofters share pasture land called common grazing for raising livestock.

People with knowledge of crofting and skills as an electrician, joiner or working with boats are among those being sought for the tenancy.

They would be asked to set up a business, or have an active role in Fair Isle knitwear - a textile developed on the island in the early 19th Century.

Angus Murray, NTS' operations manager for Fair Isle, said: "We are looking forward to welcoming new people to the island to become part of the crofting community of Fair Isle."

He added: "We are inviting resourceful and enthusiastic people with the skills, creativity, and care needed to make a success of this unique opportunity."

Eileen Thomson, director of Fair Isle Development Company, said it was hoped a family could be attracted to the tenancy to help support the school which has just four pupils.

"Ideally, we're looking for younger people, people of working age," she said.

Many of the islanders have several jobs and voluntary roles.

Thomson said: "Most of us have a croft but also work in the school, on the ferry and in various community organisations as well.

"It's so much better than having a nine to five."

Thomson said she hoped to see the population grow to about 70 people so key roles could more easily be shared within the community.

The trust will receive applications and create a shortlist. A local committee will be involved in the interview process.

A spokesperson for SLMS said: "This is an exceptionally rare opportunity to secure a croft and family home in one of Scotland's most remarkable island communities."

Applications close at midday on Friday 10 April.