Funds winging to bird observatory

Fair Isle Bird Observatory is a world famous attraction

Plans for a new bird observatory on Fair Isle, one of the UK's most remote inhabited islands, have received a £400,000 boost.

Hundreds of bird watchers travel to the island off Shetland every year to observe migrating birds.

The Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust (FIBOT) began raising funds last year.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has announced the £400,000 grant to help one of the most remote and fragile communities in Scotland to grow.

The existing bird observatory is known to ornithologists around the world and is famous for its rare bird migrants and spectacular seabirds.

Extend season

HIE area manager Stuart Robertson said: "Not only does Fair Isle Bird Observatory play a key role in keeping this fragile community viable, it plays an important part in Shetland's tourism industry as a whole.

"Our assistance fits with our policy of supporting social enterprises which show growth ambitions.

"The observatory's plans will extend the visitor season, raise the quality of experience and widen the appeal of the area to general tourists as well as to its bird-watching customer base."

FIBOT warden Deryk Shaw said that the trust was delighted to receive the grant from HIE.

He said: "We spent a year looking into the feasibility of renovating it, but realised the most cost effective solution was to build anew."

Major funding of more than £1m has also already been awarded by Shetland Islands Council.

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