Ambitious Fair isle bird observatory rebuilding project to benefit from Whitehall grant of £550,000

                                           

It's full steam ahead for construction of new island observatory 

THERE has been a cash boost for the project to rebuild Fair Isle Bird Observatory after it was destroyed by fire in March five years ago.

The trust overseeing the £7.4-million scheme learned this week  that it is to benefit from the  UK Government's Community Ownership Fund to the tune of  £550,000.

The announcement from Whitehall comes 12 months after almost £27-million had been awarded to Shetland Islands Council through the Levelling Up fund for Fair Isle to have a new ferry and renovated harbour infrastructure.

Since the fire, the rebuilding project has also been beneficiary of other smaller grants and donations plus crowdfunding initiatives, often supported by birders, and monies from its own resources.

Fair Isle is reckoned to be the hottest of hotspots when it comes to seeing rare migrants,  and it has long been a target destination for birders.

The observatory accommodation and catering facilities have been much missed since the 2019 blaze, the cause of which has never been identified.

Work is well under the way on the new building which is of modular design, the panels having been manufactured  by Sheffield firm Lighthouse (formerly known as IDMH), then shipped to Fair Isle from the docks at Grimsby via the Orkneys.

The last stage of the journey was by barge from Kirkwall, but there were were weather-related hold-ups along the way.

Just before Christmas, trust chairman Douglas provided the following update:

"With the completion of the roof and cladding we have reached a significant milestone in the rebuilding of the observatory whereby the building is now wind and watertight. 

"This was our target for this year, so we are extremely pleased to have accomplished this.

"We have now started on the next stage which will be undertaken in three phases which will allow for the completion of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing works together with the interiors.

"A lot of this work is sequential and will necessitate a number of different trades coming at staggered times. 

"This will take a number of months before we are able to move onto the further final phase of fitting the observatory out with furniture and plenishings."

Although it is still too early to take bookings, there are hopes that the new observatory will be open later this year.

In the meantime, the trust has been recruiting for two assistant wardens to start work in April at £345per week plus accommodation and food.                                        

The new observatory is now both windproofed and watertight

In the comings weeks, the plumbing, electrics and furnishings will be installed

* All images: Lighthouse, formerly IDMH, of Sheffield