Nurse Trades City for Fair Isle's Peace

0:00On April 4, Tammy Haan just traded city life for the UK's most remote inhabited island, Fair Isle, in the Shetlands. This tiny spot, just three miles long and one and a half miles wide, needed a new nurse after the last one left for the mainland. With 23 years in nursing, including 13 as a palliative care specialist, the almost 50-year-old jumped at the full-time gig to care for the whole community. She flew to Shetland on February 9, but rough weather kept her waiting three weeks before reaching the island. At her interview, she wowed them with a PowerPoint on her loves, from Dolly Parton to Banjo playing and craving nature. Coming from Bedford's music scene with her band Doesy Avocado, Tammy sought peace after rewarding but intense work with end-of-life patience. She's super sociable, yet independent, ready to slow down, meet folks old school style, and stretch her mind with a fresh adventure. Now the sole medic there, she handles kids to adults and any emergency, backed by Shetland Docks or Air Rescue if needed. She settled fast, feeling like

1:04she's always belonged, spotting Orcas on day two, and eyeing puffins returning end of the month. The bird watching blows her way, locals welcome her with tea, and jams, and she's even writing tunes remotely with her Bedford buddy. Stars aligned for this peaceful reset, and she's loving every quiet wild minute.