After graduating I moved to Fair Isle, an island of fewer than 60 people

When I finished university I pictured moving to London, but after working in healthcare administration and feeling directionless I left. My mother showed me a job on Lundy, I applied, quit my job, packed my belongings and took the ferry. On Lundy I met my partner, who had lived on remote islands and later moved to Fair Isle; I followed and took a housekeeping job at the Bird Observatory.

Fair Isle is one of the UK's most remote inhabited islands, with a population under 60 and reachable only by boat or plane. My flight was canceled, so I arrived by ferry, nervous and excited. Almost immediately the island surprised me with how welcoming everyone was: people gather at the harbor to help unload supplies, smile and introduce themselves, and the Bird Observatory's bar became the social hub for music nights, knitting meet-ups and conversation.

Island life took some getting used to. Weather can ground planes and boats, mail is often delayed, and occasionally we run out of fresh fruit or milk.

United Kingdom, Fair Isle

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