Funds appeal to rebuild Fair Isle Bird Observatory after fire

Fire destroyed the famous research centre last year

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to raise £650,000 towards rebuilding the famous Fair Isle Bird Observatory after it burned down.

The internationally-renowned research centre in Shetland was destroyed in March last year.

The funds will go towards the £7.4m cost of creating a new and improved building.

The Shetland crime series author Ann Cleeves is spearheading the campaign as the new observatory patron.

The proposed new building will have improved accommodation

Fair Isle - a remote island between Orkney and Shetland - is three miles long, one-and-a-half miles wide, and has a population of just over 50.

It is regarded as being one of the best places in Europe to see rare birds that stop off for a rest and feed along their migration routes.

'A tragedy'

The aim is for the new building to have improved accommodation for students and volunteers.

Ann Cleeves - who first visited Fair Isle more than 40 years ago to work in the observatory kitchen - said: "Even then, I understood how important the observatory was to the island and the islanders.

"Fair Isle is a thriving community that keeps alive its traditions while being open-minded and open-hearted to visiting strangers.

"The loss of the building to fire was a tragedy, given its central role in supporting employment and providing a place where islanders and visitors can meet to share stories and expertise."

She added: "We now hope to replace it with a building that is even more relevant to the island's future."