Fair Isle bird observatory appeal
13/08/2008 17:23:26
Fair Isle Cliffs. National Trust for Scotland.
August 2008. Bill Oddie has thrown his (fill in your own adjective here)........... weight to a £1.5m appeal to help fund a new seabird observatory on Fair Isle, the remote Scottish island owned by the National Trust for Scotland charity. The Bird Observatory on Fair Isle is known to ornithologists around the world - famous for its rare bird migrants and spectacular seabirds - and the appeal is being launched by the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust.
For 60 years the observatory has attracted visitors to the UK's most remote inhabited island and has become the lynchpin of the island's economy. Now it has to be replaced with a new Observatory to open in 2010.
The new building will be a modern, eco-friendly place for people to stay and will cost £4 million, over a quarter of which has already been pledged by Shetland Islands Council. Other public funds are being sought - but the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust needs to raise £1.5 million through individual donations.
Fair Isle. National Trust for Scotland.
More abour Fair Isle and how to visit.
Bill Oddie, a regular visitor to the Observatory, is giving his public backing to the Appeal at the Rutland Bird Fair this weekend, August 16th/17th . Bill says: "Fair Isle is one of my favourite birding locations. I first went as a schoolboy, a visit to my ornithological mecca - I've been back many times and seen some cracking rare birds. I encourage everyone to donate generously and help build the new Observatory - and I hope to be one of its first birding visitors" The Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust is an independent charity, which is totally self-funded and reliant on revenue from visitors. It is appealing for donations to the FIBOT New Building Fund www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk | Mark Adderley, Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland charity, who own Fair Isle, visited last month and was thrilled by what he saw. He also adds NTS weight to the FIBO Trust appeal. "I visited Fair Isle in July as a volunteer on one of our Thistle Camps and listened to the islanders' thoughts for the island going forward. We have supported many initiatives to boost the Fair Isle economy over the years and we commend the Fair Isle Bird Observatory directors in their ambitious and committed goal to build a new observatory and lodge on the island."
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