Kenneth Williamson
Fair Isle was never far from the thoughts of the family when they moved south in 1956, Ken being drawn to a position with the British Trust for Ornithology in Tring, Hertfordshire – a job in which he also made his mark, with a string of publications based on his research. He was a polymath in his interests with his knowledge extending, inter alia, to Faeroese archaeology and meteorology. Even after his death in 1977 the Williamsons kept in touch with island friends and with news from the Isle. Hervør, in particular, retained very warm memories and was always keen to hear from Bird Observatory staff at national ornithological conferences, which she regularly attended with her father.

Esther and Robin Williamson MBE
Hervør, Esther, Kenneth and Robin, the entire Williamson family, were pioneers in a venture which, 75 years later, goes from strength to strength and has been copied world-wide. They also feature largely in the history of the Isle, along with other Fair Isle families gone but not to be forgotten. Hervør died tragically young; more recently, Esther died at the age of 91. Esther was particularly keen on establishing a memorial for Hervør which linked her with happy times on Fair Isle. She had remained in regular contact with friends on the Isle and visited several times. She had been following Fair Isle’s effort to seek better management of its marine resources and saw the opportunity to make a contribution. Robin was in full support and when his mother passed away, he remained in close contact while Sea Area Fair Isle was in production. It was a tragedy that he died, in September 2022 just as the booklet reached its final stage. It is gratifying that Robin’s wife, Jane, shared his interest and commitment to Fair Isle’s marine cause and was able to see it through to its publication – with a not inconsiderable input during the final stages, bringing into play her considerable experience in the world of publishing.

Hervor Williamson
A word about Robin. Although he did not follow his father’s path into ornithology, he enjoyed the wildlife around him as a counterbalance to a busy life in the world of social tax reform through the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) in which he played a major part as technical director, then chairman. He was also involved in setting up the charity Tax Help for Older People. His work and social conscience were recognised in an MBE and a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Tolley’s Taxation Awards. His many interests in his spare time included classics, languages and literature, history and theology, and he was an accomplished amateur viola player. Robin was hugely proud of his Faroese and Scottish heritage and these were driving factors in his support for the Fair Isle marine initiative. He was delighted to maintain the link with the Isle and see his family remembered with the publication of Sea Area Fair Isle.

In keeping with his wishes Sea Area Fair Isle is dedicated to Hervør and her mother and is proud to act as a memorial to their lives…as well as a tribute to the entire Williamson family.