Community / Two jobs up for grabs on island ferry
JOBS do not come up too often in Fair Isle – but two vacancies have now cropped up on the island’s Good Shepherd ferry.
Shetland Islands Council is currently recruiting for an engineer and deckhand for the vessel, which runs between the island and the Shetland mainland.
Resident Eileen Thomson said: “We are looking forward to welcoming the right people to this very special island community”.
It comes as the Good Shepherd stands to be replaced by a new ro-ro ferry in the coming years, largely paid for by a grant from the UK Government. The island’s harbour is also in line to be revamped with the same funding.
The boat takes up to 12 passengers and the passage – which goes through the infamous Sumburgh Roost, where two tidal streams meet – takes around two and a half hours.
There is also a plane service to Fair Isle – which is located between Shetland and Orkney – via Tingwall Airport.
Thomson said Fair Isle owner the National Trust for Scotland has one family home available to rent, so there is an opportunity for someone from outwith to move into the community.
Candidates would obviously need the relevant experience/qualifications.
She added that there are “great opportunities” in Fair Isle to do extra jobs such as working with the fire service, knitting or using trade skills like plumbing and building.
Thomson said there is “4G and high-speed fibre is being installed soon”, while the island is “cared for by a highly skilled resident nurse and a visiting GP”.
She highlighted there is also a local shop and post office, a primary school – which has five pupils – and a “great community” with a population of around 50 folk.
Thomson also noted the “pace of life and chance to live independently away from the rat-race”.
“It’s not always easy to call someone to fix a broken pipe etc so Fair Isle is an amazing place if you are self-sufficient and happy to do things for yourself,” she said.
“That said we do also pull together and work as a community which is so essential.”
There is another job also up for grabs in Fair Isle – a part-time cook at the primary school.
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