Former teacher becomes crofter on UK's most remote inhabited island

Katy Phenix moved from Redcar, North Yorkshire, to Fair Isle, a remote island in the UK, with her partner Josh Moore and their two children.

The family relocated in July to seek a better quality of life and more time together. Fair Isle sits between Orkney and Shetland and has a population of about 60 people. Katy Phenix transitioned from her career as a history teacher to working as a part-time crofter, which involves sharing pasture land to raise livestock.

She also took a position in early years education. Her children attend the local primary school, where they are two of only five pupils. Josh Moore works as a self-employed electrician on the island, where he maintains the local energy system and works on a project to replace lithium batteries. The National Trust for Scotland, which owns the island, is currently seeking new tenants for a five-bedroom house and a 12-acre croft.

The trust is looking for people with trade skills or land management experience to join the small community. Residents say that community members often work together on large tasks, such as gathering sheep or making hay bales during the summer.