Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/specific-location/fair-isle/ Specific Location # Fair Isle NaturesLens visits Fair Isle on small-group wildlife photography holidays in Scotland, with time here planned around Arctic Skua, Arctic Tern, Atlantic Puffin, Black Guillemot & Common Guillemot rather than general sightseeing. Current itineraries using Fair Isle include Atlantic Puffins of Fair Isle, with photography shaped around boat-based, flight & night or low-light photography sessions. Fair Isle lies isolated in the North Sea, roughly midway between Orkney & Shetland, of which it forms the southernmost outpost. This remote Scottish island is renowned for its dramatic coastal scenery, with towering sea cliffs, rugged sandstone stacks, & sheltered geos plunging into cold northern waters. Its position at the crossroads of major migration routes, combined with a landscape of rocky shorelines, heather-clad slopes, & crofted grassland, has made it one of Britain’s most celebrated destinations for seabird & migrant bird observation, long studied through its historic bird observatory. The island’s cliffs & skerries host a classic assemblage of North Atlantic seabirds, with Atlantic Puffin, Common Guillemot, Razorbill, & Black Guillemot occupying ledges & boulder scree in dense, noisy colonies. European Shag & Northern Fulmar nest along the more sheltered rock faces, while Northern Gannet can be seen plunge-diving offshore in pursuit of fish. Overhead, Arctic Tern & Arctic Skua bring energy & aggression to the skies, the latter notorious for piratically harrying other seabirds into surrendering their catch. Great Skua, locally known as “bonxies,” patrol the moorland & cliffs with formidable presence, occasionally predating smaller seabirds outright. Together these species create a vivid, dynamic seabird spectacle characteristic of Scotland’s northern isles. Curious what keeps photographers coming back? Read our piece on why photographers keep returning to Fair Isle. Single occupancy Maximum 7 guests Experienced guidance 2 departures - [![Join Us For The Atlantic Puffins of Fair Isle Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/One-of-the-Puffins-of-Fair-Isle-flies-in-with-nesting-material-this-image-was-captured-during-the-NaturesLens-Atlantic-Puffins-of-Fair-Isle-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/scotland/atlantic-puffins-of-fair-isle/) Full ### 12th - 17th Jun 2027 - Atlantic Puffins of Fair Isle **Location:** Scotland Travel to Scotland with us for a wildlife photography holiday, during June 2027, on Fair Isle, focused on close-range puffin photography during breeding season. **5 nights** w. **Single occupancy** - **Full** Guided By **Robin Lowry** [View Atlantic Puffins of Fair Isle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/scotland/atlantic-puffins-of-fair-isle/) - [![Join Us For The Atlantic Puffins of Fair Isle Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/One-of-the-Puffins-of-Fair-Isle-flies-in-with-nesting-material-this-image-was-captured-during-the-NaturesLens-Atlantic-Puffins-of-Fair-Isle-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/scotland/atlantic-puffins-of-fair-isle-2028/) ### 10th - 15th Jun 2028 - Atlantic Puffins of Fair Isle **Location:** Scotland Travel to Scotland with us for a wildlife photography holiday, during June 2028, on Fair Isle, focused on close-range puffin photography during breeding season. **5 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£2749** Guided By **Robin Lowry** [View Atlantic Puffins of Fair Isle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/scotland/atlantic-puffins-of-fair-isle-2028/) - ## What to Photograph at Fair Isle - [Arctic Skua at Fair Isle](https://natureslens.co.uk/field-guide/where-to-photograph/arctic-skua-at-fair-isle/) - [Arctic Tern at Fair Isle](https://natureslens.co.uk/field-guide/where-to-photograph/arctic-tern-at-fair-isle/) - [Atlantic Puffin at Fair Isle](https://natureslens.co.uk/field-guide/where-to-photograph/atlantic-puffin-at-fair-isle/) - [Black Guillemot at Fair Isle](https://natureslens.co.uk/field-guide/where-to-photograph/black-guillemot-at-fair-isle/) - [Common Guillemot at Fair Isle](https://natureslens.co.uk/field-guide/where-to-photograph/common-guillemot-at-fair-isle/) - [European Shag at Fair Isle](https://natureslens.co.uk/field-guide/where-to-photograph/european-shag-at-fair-isle/) - [Great Skua at Fair Isle](https://natureslens.co.uk/field-guide/where-to-photograph/great-skua-at-fair-isle/) - [Northern Fulmar at Fair Isle](https://natureslens.co.uk/field-guide/where-to-photograph/northern-fulmar-at-fair-isle/) - [Northern Gannet at Fair Isle](https://natureslens.co.uk/field-guide/where-to-photograph/northern-gannet-at-fair-isle/) - [Razorbill at Fair Isle](https://natureslens.co.uk/field-guide/where-to-photograph/razorbill-at-fair-isle/) ## Fair Isle questions ### What are the best photography trips for wildlife at Fair Isle? NaturesLens runs small-group wildlife photography holidays that visit Fair Isle, planned around time with the subjects rather than sightseeing. Current departures are [Atlantic Puffins of Fair Isle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/scotland/atlantic-puffins-of-fair-isle/) (12-17 June 2027) & [Atlantic Puffins of Fair Isle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/scotland/atlantic-puffins-of-fair-isle-2028/) (10-15 June 2028). ## Fair Isle questions ### Who leads the photography holidays at Fair Isle, & how big are the groups? Robin Lowry leads the NaturesLens trips that visit Fair Isle. Groups are limited to 7 photographers, so everyone has space to work & receives individual guidance, with the exact maximum shown on each trip page. ## Fair Isle questions ### What wildlife can I photograph at Fair Isle? Species featured on the NaturesLens trips that visit Fair Isle include Arctic Skua, Arctic Tern, Atlantic Puffin, Black Guillemot, Common Guillemot, European Shag, Great Skua & Northern Fulmar. Which species you see depends on the departure & the season, & as with all wildlife photography, sightings can never be guaranteed.