A Fair Isle Nurse: Memoirs of the only medical professional in Fair Isle in the mid 1960s

by Mona McAlpine, Susan Molloy (Photographer), Nick Dymond (Photographer)

Often surrounded by sea mist or racked by relentless gales, the island of Fair Isle runs to its own rythyms.

In the mid 1960s a young nurse arrived to begin working here, one of the most remote inhabited islands in Britain.

She would be the sole provider of medical care for the local population.

Her coming of age was dependant on the acceptance, support and kindness of the Fair Isle people. Would she succeed?

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 22, 2023

Reviews

[Rory]

A cute little book! Love the culture and made me think of home.

[Nancy]

A very sweet memoir set in a charming part of Scotland in the 1960's. Very enjoyable read.

[Kay Gordon]

I really enjoyed reading this book, only took a couple of days as it’s pretty short. I longer, more detailed book would have been just as interesting. It’s fascinating to recall how we all used to communicate before the days of mobile phones or indeed any phones in people’s homes.
The ‘feel’ of Fair Isle in the 60s came across really well, the community spirit, the reliance on each other for help and support etc
All in all a great book remembering island life in the 1960s

[Jean Flores]

I had the honor of being invited to tea by Mona McAlpine while I visited Shetland. I read the book during my three-week stay on Fair Isle and had dinner with "the baby" born in the book.
My friend, Fiona, who lived on Bressay, took me to Mona's house to have tea with her and her son. It was a wonderful afternoon.

[Amanda]

A sweet, charming little memoir of a young nurse’s year spent caring for the people of Fair Isle in the early 1960s. The depictions of the islanders, their traditions, their joys, and woes came to life. Definitely a fascinating and cozy read! This is a book I will pick up again and again.

[Georgia]

I sound the title to be mis-leading...no deliveries ever occurred on the Island. I found the story too simplistic for adult reading. The actual nursing events were few as well as relationships. Perhaps an introduction to another life for high schoolers?

[Caterina]

This reads a bit like The Little House On The Prairie, except it's set in Shetland and peppered with charming native words (thank you, Mona McAlpine, for explaining in the first couple of pages, what "peerie" means!). Not unforgettable or literary in any way, but still a nice read.

[Jean]

A very short account covering only one year, as an ex nurse/midwife I would have enjoyed more medical insights but this is a sweet genuine story and gives a perfect example of island life in the 60’s and the dialect.

[Jane Robertson]

I really enjoyed reading about island life in Fair Isle. Life seemed very harsh but community spirit was very important. It took a while to "tune in" to the speech in the book but soon it was easy to read and understand.

[Mary]

A very entertaining, lovely book

This book was great. It examines being a nurse in a very remote area. Learning about the people and their customs was interesting. I really enjoyed this!

[Rebekah Walker]

An easy book to read. Written very kindly and lovingly of the place and people. Left me nostalgic for a place I’ve never been to.

[Lois Mitchell]

A true life adventure!

[Adna]

Nice way to prologue a holiday to Shetland! Next time we’ll go over da roost and visit Fair Isle

[Ursula]

I haven‘t been to Fair Isle yet, but I’ve been to Shetland and to Faula. It was a great peek into island life and such a quick read.
Definitely would recommend!

[fiona jane mcgilvray]

A dear little book, I loved it

[Claire]

A short little read of a nurses life for a year in one of the most remote places in Scotland

[FRANCES WAITE]

Amazing Fair Isles

My eldest son and my daughter-in-law live on Shetland in the village of Levenwick. As a result, I visit Shetland twice a year. I absolutely love it. Hence the reason why the book "A Fair Isle Nurse" appealed to me. It is an excellent read and very interesting. I can relate to the way of life, scenery and the people.
Thank you Mona