Once in a lifetime role in Fair Isle

A rare vacancy has arisen on Fair Isle, Shetland's most southerly island, famed for its birdlife and knitwear. The post is for a headteacher at the island's primary school, which currently has a school roll of just three pupils.

Despite the small classroom size, this is an opportunity to become part of a friendly, collaborative island community. Knitting, crofting and the natural world are all important parts of Fair Isle's culture and heritage and this is a chance to get involved, as well as learn and pass on skills to future generations.

Fair Isle lies roughly halfway between Shetland and Orkney and has a population of around 60 people. The island is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and its economy is built on crofting, knitwear and tourism.

It was in Fair Isle that the crime writer Ann Cleeves came to live and work in the early 1980s, falling in love with the place and using it as inspiration for her famous 'Shetland' novels, now an award-winning BBC drama series.

The island comes to life in the summer months when visitors from all over the world come to see the migrating seabirds and to get a taste of island life.

If you're a teacher and hankering for a complete change of scene on a truly special island, then this could be the post for you.

The successful candidate will work as a teaching Head Teacher, supported by a learning support assistant and an early years support worker. This is a permanent, full-time post of 35 hours per week and a salary of £56,787 per year, inclusive of Distant Islands Allowance of £2,265 per annum. You can read the full job spec on the My Jobs Scotland website.

To find out more about the island, see our Fair Isle - Area Guide.