Ann Cleeves first arrived in Fair Isle in 1975, to work as a cook in the island's famous bird observatory. She fell in love with the place, and so began an enduring relationship with Shetland, most celebrated through her Shetland crime series of novels featuring Fair Islander Jimmy Perez.

Ann Cleeves is known to most as the award-winning author responsible for creating some of modern fiction's most famous crime-solvers, including DI Jimmy Perez and Vera Stanhope.

But without a chance meeting and a summer working in Fair Isle in 1975, she may never have come up with the idea for her Shetland series. During that 1970s summer, Ann fell in love with Fair Isle its dramatic coastline, and the people who call it home.

Many years later, following a winter visit to Shetland, she was inspired to create a series of novels set in the islands, with Fair Islander Jimmy Perez the leading character. Not only is Perez from Fair Isle, but his character is inspired by residents whom Ann met while working there.

Some 50 years after her first trip to the most southerly of the Shetland Islands, Ann returned to revisit the newly rebuilt Fair Isle Bird Observatory and relive the summer seasons that inspired her famous island detective.

We hope you enjoy learning more about Ann Cleeves' Fair Isle, and feel inspired to experience the nature, landscapes and warm welcome for yourself.

Ann Cleeves' Fair Isle | Promote Shetland | Home of Jimmy Perez

Win return flights to Shetland

To celebrate Ann Cleeves' return to Fair Isls and the launch of her new Jimmy Perez book, The Killing Stones, we're giving you the chance to win one of two fabulous prizes. First prize is a pair of return tickets to Shetland with Loganair, while five runners-up will receive a copy of Ann's new book.

Enter the giveaway!arrow-right

Fair Isle Inspiration

How to visit Fair Isle

Fair Isle's rugged coastlines, abundant wildlife, and fascinating heritage – including the world-famous Fair Isle knitwear – make it a bucket-list destination for many.

If you want to visit the island, you can travel by ferry or plane from Mainland Shetland. Both must be booked.

The ferry Good Shepherd IV carries 12 passengers and takes 2.5 hours. It leaves from Grutness Pier at the southern tip of Shetland and once a fortnight (summer only) from Lerwick. Please note that this is not a car ferry. View the timetable on the Ferry Services website.

Most flights leave from Tingwall Airport, six miles west of Lerwick, and take around 25 minutes. The flights operate three times a week and, from April to October, there is also weekly service from Sumburgh (April - October). View the timetable on the Airtask website.

Yachts can tie up at the North Haven, with a small nightly charge for use of the harbour. ​​

Plan your trip...we've compiled all the details you will need to organise a visit to Fair Isle.