Foula Island, part of Scotland’s Shetland Islands, is home to a population of only thirty people who primarily earn their living as sheep and pony farmers. The island has been owned by the Holbourn family for the past hundred years. Growing numbers of visitors are making their way to Foula as bird watchers from around the world come to see its puffins, skuas, razorbills, gannets, and more. Getty Images photographer Jeff Mitchell paid a visit to Foula recently, and returned with these images of its people, animals, and landscape.
Foula, Scotland—the Most Remote Inhabited Island in Great Britain
- Alan Taylor
- October 6, 2016
- 25 Photos
- In Focus
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Ponies graze freely on the Island of Foula, Scotland, on October 1, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
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Sunlight shines through the cliffs on the Island of Foula on September 30, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
The plane arrives from Tingwall airport at the Island of Foula airstrip on September 28, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
An oil rig supply vessel shelters from bad weather off Ham Voe on the Island of Foula on September 29, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
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Seals shelter from stormy seas near the jetty on the Island of Foula on September 29, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
The water supply hut on Foula on October 2, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
Ponies run free on Foula on October 1, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
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Jack, Penny, Sheila and Jim Gear walk their ponies to the Island of Foula ferry where they will be loaded for market on Shetland on October 1, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
The Noup on the Island of Foula on October 2, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
A view of Gaada Stack, off the Island of Foula, on September 30, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
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Sheep graze beside an old cottage on Foula on September 29, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
Post mistress Sheila Gear, working in the Island of Foula Post Office on September 30, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
Fran Sutton tries out a pair of roller blades during the primary school coffee morning on the Island of Foula on September 30, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
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A crumbling building and telephone box on the Island of Foula on September 29, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
Seventy eight year old crofter Eric Ibister sits in his armchair at his home in Hametoun on the Island of Foula, on September 30, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
The New Advance ferry manned by residents leaves the harbor to take the Grear family ponies to a sale on Shetland on October 1, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
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Residents of Foula take sheep off the island bound for the market on the boat the New Advance on October 2, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
Jack, Penny, Sheila and Jim Gear walk their ponies to the Island of Foula ferry on October 1, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
The Gear family ponies are loaded onto the New Advance ferry on October 1, 2016 in Foula, Scotland. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
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Cliffs at The Noup--the second highest sea cliffs in the UK--on October 2, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
The Noup on the Island of Foula on October 2, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
Seals shelter from stormy seas near the jetty on the Island of Foula on September 29, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
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Foula resident Jim Gear, plays to Stuart Taylor, Penny Gear, Sheila Gear and Davie Henry at a late night gathering on October 2, 2016 in Foula. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
Foula resident Davie Henry plays guitar at a late night gathering on October 2, 2016 in Foula, Scotland. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
A weather front heads into the Island of Foula on September 29, 2016. #
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty -
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