Nestled in an archipelago off the coast of Scotland is a tiny island known as the UK’s most remote with just 30 residents.
Foula island is famous not only for its tiny population but for its incredible beauty and all the wildlife it is home to. People visit in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the puffins and skuas that nest in the towering cliffs above the Atlantic ocean.
These cliffs are among the highest in the UK, reaching heights of 370-metre (1,210 ft)
The island has been designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because it supports large colonies of cliff and moorland-nesting seabirds
This island has a long history of wildlife: its name comes from the Old Norse for ‘bird island’, and the island has been inhabited since Neolithic times.
Foula offers little in the way of entertainment for those not enthralled by cliffs or wildlife.
There is no wi-fi, no pubs or bars and the island doesn’t even have a shop. Anyone making the trek to this remote island must bring everything they need with them, reports the BBC.
In terms of accommodation there are three choices: you can choose from the two guest houses Burns and Ristie or one of a few camping sites on the island.
Foula also abides by an ancient version of island time. Residents still adhere to a version of the Julian calendar, having refused to change to the more modern Gregorian calendar in 1752.
It means they celebrate Christmas more than two weeks late on January 7.
Today just 30 permanent residents call Foula home, but if you want to visit this gorgeous island then there are a couple of options. You can take the 10 minute flight from Shetland’s Tingwall Airport or the slightly longer ferry from Ham to Walls on Mainland, Shetland.
New Advance carries up to 12 passengers and completes the voyage in about two hours.
