Always dreamed of what life would be like living and working on an idyllic, remote island? Away from crazy rent prices, grimy public transport (probably infested with bedbugs), noise pollution and, well, pretty much everything. If that sounds pretty ideal, we might well have found the job for you.
The job in question being a deckhand on the Good Shepherd Ferry on Fair Isle. And if you don’t know where Fair Isle is, that’s fair enough tbh. It’s a tiny place off the coast of Shetland in Scotland and is the UK’s most remote inhabited island, with a population of just 60.
But just because Fair Isle’s small doesn’t mean it’s barren. The island has a rich fishing and crofting history, having been owned by Norway in the fourteenth century, though it’s now a part of the Shetland archipelago.
So, what’s the job? It’s sort of like a sailor. According to the job description, the deckhand is to assist in seafaring, the mooring and unmooring of the vessel and attend to the safety and welfare of passengers.
The position is a permanent part-time role for 31.5 hours per week, and since public transport is almost non-existent, you must be able to travel throughout Shetland. But the good news is that the National Trust can provide successful applicants with a family home on the island if they meet certain criteria.
Clea Warner, the National Trust for Scotland’s Regional Director for the Highlands and Islands, said: ‘For anyone who loves outdoors and wildlife, there’s no place like it, the community are very dynamic and welcoming, and committed to keeping Fair Isle as a thriving place to live. The new job opening on the island is a fantastic opportunity to be part of this amazing place for themselves.’
Sound like your sort of thing? You can check out the job listing and apply here.
Weird and wonderful occupations at Time Out
There’s never a better time for a career change than the present, so you need (yep, need) to know about the full range of opportunities out there. Time Out’s unofficial job board covers everything a little unusual, from master Lego builders and Shrek mascots to getting paid to read in bed every night. Y’know, just in case you fancy any of them.
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