By John Lewington FRSGS, Principal Teacher of Social Subjects, Brae High School, Shetland 1997-2002 & RSGS Collections Team Member

The Island of Foula, 1902 (From RSGS Collections)

The most westerly island in the Shetland group of the Northern Isles of Scotland, the rocky island of Foula lies 15 nautical miles (28 km) west of Walls on Mainland Shetland. It is one of the remotest inhabited islands in the UK - although in August 2025 The Times covered a feud between Foula and another lonely Shetland island, Fair Isle, over which was more remote.

Foula pointed out that Fair Isle has a larger population (a whopping 60 people), a regular air service, and a full-time nurse, while Foula has just 33 people and only charter flights (when the weather allows) plus emergency helicopter services. Both islands are served by a small, non–car ferry that is very weather dependent.

The Shetland Isles lie 130 miles (210 km) north of the Scottish mainland, right at the northern extremity of the UK.

Distinctly individual, Foula chose to follow the old Julian calendar when the rest of Britain abandoned it in 1752 - at least for Christmas and New Year. The island follows the Gregorian calendar for other days of the year, but Christmas Day (Yule in Scots) falls on January 6th, and New Year’s Day (Ne’er Day) on January 13th.

The Gregorian calendar, now used in most parts of the world, was simply a modification of the original Julian system, shortening the average calendar year to 365.2425 days instead of Julian's 365.25, compared to the solar year of 365.243232 days.

Noted for its stunning cliff scenery, Foula has five peaks rising to 418m (1,371 feet) at the Sneug and 376m (1,220 feet) at The Kame, which boasts the second-highest sheer cliff face in Britain. Covering 1,265 ha (3,126 acres), Foula takes its name from the Norse fugal-ey, meaning “fowl” or “bird” island - a clue as to why bird-watching is so important when visiting here. Visitors can also spot colourful Foula sheep, Shetland ponies and even a unique sub-species of field mouse.

Map of Orkney and Shetland 1664 (From RSGS Collections) 

Foula was the last place in Shetland where the old Norn language (a relic of Norse times) was spoken. Settlements dating back to Iron Age and Bronze Age times are found on the island. Over a century ago, in 1881, Foula had a population of 267, mostly employed in fishing, but this fell to 54 in 1961 and today only 33, although four of those attend the primary school. Today crofting as well as fishing are the main activities, with half the population living at Hametoun in the south-east and the remainder to be found at Ham near Ham Voe on the east coast. There are fifteen crofters, five full-time jobs and fifty-two part-time jobs on the island, so islanders turn their hands to whatever needs doing.

An unreliable power system based on a diesel generator was replaced in 2004 by an integrated system including a small hydro scheme, solar array, three wind turbines, battery storage and backup generators. This system is run on behalf of the community by the Foula Electricity Trust. Although there is no public transport on the island, locals can provide lifts to and from the airstrip and pier by arrangement.

There is no general store either, though postcards and small souvenirs are available at the Post Office and the school. With no shop, visitors must bring supplies or arrange with their accommodation - although online shopping has opened up possibilities unimaginable in the past. Foula Heritage also provides three part-time rangers from April to October.

The notable Michael Powell drama-documentary The Edge of the World, filmed on Foula in 1937, explored the challenges of a depopulating island community. Powell and several members of the original cast returned to Foula in 1978.

I am grateful for the support of Islanders in creating this, so Happy Christmas, Foula.