Awards & Designations

The value of Fair Isle's natural environment is acknowledged through a wealth of designations and awards including -

• The Council of Europe's prestigious Diploma in recognition of the island's outstanding natural beauty and cultural heritage

• National Scenic Area, one of seven coastal landscapes in Shetland designated as of 'outstanding scenic interest'

• Special Protection Area (SPA) with particular reference to Fair Isle's nationally and internationally important breeding seabird species, classified under the EC Birds Directive

• Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI), approximately half the isle, comprising the Hill grazing, the entire coastline and cliffs, for its biological and geological assets, including its internationally important seabird colonies

• Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) an agri-environmental scheme in which crofters plan and carry out management measures to maintain and enhance landscape, wildlife and archaeological conservation

• Special Area of Conservation (SAC) with particular reference to Fair Isle's cliff vegetation and maritime heath habitats

• Scottish Crofting Township Award, a Scottish Crofters Union and Scottish Natural Heritage award to crofting townships displaying commitment to and conservation of their environment, received in 1995

Text Copyright Fair Isle Marine Environment and Tourism Initiative. Photographs Copyright as indicated. All rights reserved.