When the cities won’t do it, travel to Foula

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When you’re tired of the crowd, tired of the noise, tired of the smoke, tired of the traffic jams, the buildings and everything in the city that suffocates you, Foula is the perfect place to take a breather.

Referred as “the place place at the edge of the world,” you’ll hear nothing but the crashing of waves, noise from the birds, and see nothing but a wide expense of the uninterrupted nature.

LOCATION

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Foula is considered Britain’s most remote inhabited island as well as the worlds. This little island of three and half miles in length and two miles and half in width is situated more or less 20 miles off the shore mainland Shetland.

Surrounded by five towering peaks – Da Noup, Hamnafield, Da Sneug, Da Kame, and Soberlie – Foula has never felt so small and remote.

CLIMATE

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Foula shares Shetland temperate maritime climate. It is characterized by mild and wet summer and hurricane-infested months. Since the island is so far north, the sun can stay as long as 19 hours during the summer and can be short as six hours during the winter.

The whole of Shetland is a windy place and can go foggy in times. However, Foula is excused to fog due to its location. Another notable climate characteristic of Foula is it enjoys mild temperatures with snows infrequent and more on gale and sleets thanks to the sea.

TRANSPORTATION

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Despite being a remote place, reaching Foula is relatively easy. Once you reach Shetland there are two ways to proceed to Foula: through air and through the sea. Ferry services going to Foula are available in the west mainland of Shetland.

It takes not less than two hours, but not more than three hours to reach the island. The ferries operate only three times a week, so you need to book beforehand for your arrival and return trip. Another one is through a boat operating every Wednesday. It will transport you at an early morning and return for you at the evening.

The other mode is by chartered air service, seating eight people and operates four times a week. You can explore the island for hours before it brings you back to the mainland.

ATTRACTION

Physiology of Foula

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The general appearance of Foula is a vast plain snuggled in between towering peaks whose cliffs are carved and molded into layered sandstone by constant exposure to the thrashing waves. This makes up for a beach filled with rugged stones that sometimes look like remnants of a massive storm.

Apart from its appearance, its physiological characteristics have also resulted to inconsistent weather. On the valley between its peaks, the wind could drop and you’ll be rewarded with a blue sky, a vast expense carpeted with wild flowers and lush greenery wherever you look at. Better enjoy it while it lasts as the storm may be not too far behind.

Wildlife

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Foula meaning “Bird Island,” its name is a fine description to tell how many birds are nestled in this island. There are a lot of rare species of birds to be seen in Foula, but the most common residents are the Great Skuas. Foula is known to be the largest colony of these birds and for years, the zoologists of Glasgow University made this island an important research spot.

Apart from the birds, other animals such as seals, porpoises and killer whales are making an appearance on and offshore of the island.

Culture and Tradition

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Another source of wonder in Foula is its people. With a population of not more than 50, the residents of Foula make do with what is on the island and continue to be happy.

They also have a different culture. For a start, there still follow the Julian calendar abandoned by Britain two centuries and half ago. Meaning, they celebrate Christmas on the 6th of January and New Year on the 13th.

Food from groceries is also delivered by plane, in which they are also the means to transport a mother to the hospital to deliver a baby. When asked on why they continue to live in a remote area, these residents all have their own reason that all boils down to what they feel would bring them happiness.

http://laurenceourac.com/when-the-cities-wont-do-it-travel-to-foula/

Images:
(1.) http://i4.scotlandnow.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article4769184.ece/ALTERNATES/s1023/JS52543977.jpg
(2.) https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/images/8/80/Shetland,_c._1845.jpg
(3.) http://i2.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article4782773.ece/ALTERNATES/s1023/Weather-10th-December-2014.jpg
(4.) http://www.shetland.org/site/assets/files/1989/20140708180643-_dsc2996.1680×0.jpg
(5.) https://wovember.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/9hapshawllandscape.jpg
(6.) http://www.shetland.org/site/assets/files/1546/bird_watching.1680×0.jpg
(7.) http://www.shetland.org/site/assets/files/1250/img_1268_c_nick_law.jpg