You might think that the festivities have come to an end across the country, but in fact, there’s a small UK island that is set to celebrate Christmas this month, and the New Year seven days later.
The secluded island of Foula is situated approximately 15 miles west of the mainland of Shetland, Scotland, and is one of the UK’s most remote inhabited islands. Stretching a mere five miles long, Foula was once home to 287 residents, but now has fewer than 40, where they live without the common amenities of a shop, pub or bar.
Its inhabitants were formerly among the last in the world to speak a Nordic language, but maintain a robust Norse tradition of folklore and music. Although it’s incredibly remote, it’s considered one of the best places in the UK to witness the Northern Lights.
It features untouched landscapes of towering, rugged cliffs and glacial valleys, along with five remarkable peaks: The Sneug, Kame, Noup, Soberlie, and Hamnafield. The waters surrounding Foula are popular among divers, particularly for exploring the RMS Oceanic shipwreck, and it’s home to an array of wildlife.
What makes this remote island even more intriguing is that its residents, albeit a small number, will celebrate Christmas Day this month, rather than in December. This is because Foula’s residents observe the Julian calendar, signifying that Christmas occurs on January 6, as opposed to December 25, with the New Year seven days afterwards on January 13.
The Julian calendar is still used by the Berbers of the Maghreb through the Berber calendar, while Britain and the rest of the world use the Gregorian calendar. A resident on Foula, Robert Smith, previously spoke to BBC Scotland News about following the Julian calendar and shared an insight into their remote lifestyle.
He told the publication, “I think growing up, it felt unique. But our new year has similarities with first-footing. You go round houses with a drink, stay a while, and catch up. Then maybe home for dinner, and then somewhere for a party into the small hours.
“In Foula, it’s family-focussed, it’s more intimate, and we are always playing music together. It’s something the island is known for. It’s a good bonding thing. It is how we have always done it.”
The island is only accessible by boat, including ferries that run between Foula and Shetland, or by a small plane, but this can depend on weather conditions. Supplies are also delivered through these modes of transport, with the residents of Foula extraordinarily isolated.
Those living on the island operate within a sustainable energy network, utilising wind turbines and solar panels, with other methods, such as generators, on standby. The name of the island translates to “bird island” in Old Norse, and it’s famously known for serving as the filming location for the 1937 movie, The Edge of the World.
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This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
