A new chapter in Fair Isle’s maritime history is drawing closer as the island’s long awaited replacement ferry has finally emerged from beneath the covers at a boatyard in Whitby.
The Good Shepherd V was unveiled on Wednesday 4 November 2026, with scaffolding and protective tarpaulins removed to reveal the substantially completed vessel for the first time.
Built by specialist shipbuilders Parkol Marine Engineering, the new 24 metre monohull ferry represents a major investment in the future of one of Scotland’s most remote island communities.
Construction began in November 2025, and the vessel’s hull and superstructure have now been completed and painted ahead of the final stages of fitting out.
The next significant milestone will see the ferry lifted by crane from the boatyard into the River Esk, where work will continue on its internal spaces and onboard systems before sea trials begin.
Once completed, the Good Shepherd V will replace the Good Shepherd IV, which has served Fair Isle and its connection with the Shetland mainland since 1986.
For four decades, the existing vessel has provided an essential link for islanders, carrying passengers alongside the goods and supplies that cannot be transported by air.
The new ferry is expected to strengthen that vital connection, supporting the everyday needs of residents and businesses while providing a modern replacement for an ageing vessel.
The project extends well beyond the construction of the ferry itself, with substantial improvements also taking place at harbour facilities on both sides of the crossing.
On Fair Isle, work will continue over the coming months to install a new winch house and cradle for the boat noust, allowing the vessel to be brought safely out of the water during poor weather.
Meanwhile, the extended pier and new breakwater at Grutness on the Shetland mainland are largely complete, with only minor finishing work outstanding.
The overall project is estimated to cost £45.4 million, including £18.6 million from Shetland Islands Council and £26.8 million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The contract to construct the new ferry, worth £5.6 million, was awarded to Parkol Marine Engineering in June 2025.
Moraig Lyall, Chair of Shetland Islands Council’s Environment and Transport Committee, welcomed the latest milestone.
She said:
“This is a key milestone for the project– after months under wraps, it’s good to see the new vessel unveiled before the final stages of work take place.
“The Good Shepherd V will be such an important asset for the social and economic future of Fair Isle.
“I look forward to seeing more of the progress in the coming weeks before she leaves Whitby on her way to Shetland.”
The vessel is expected to depart Whitby and arrive in Shetland before Christmas, provided weather conditions allow the journey to proceed.
For Fair Isle, where reliable transport links are fundamental to community life, the arrival of the Good Shepherd V will mark more than the replacement of a ferry.
It represents a substantial commitment to maintaining the island’s connection with the wider world and supporting the people who call it home.
