The Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust is facing up to the loss of its observatory and birdhouse

A renowned bird observatory has been destroyed in a devastating fire.

The Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust is facing up to the loss of its observatory and birdhouse, after a blaze broke out on Sunday (11 March).

A fire crew were flown out by helicopter to the remote island near Shetland, with other crews arriving by boat, however attempts to save the building were unsuccessful.

No-one was injured, but the building, which offered accommodation to visitors to the island, was completely destroyed.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) spokesman said: "Operations Control mobilised crews from Fair Isle and Shetland, with the crew from Lerwick transported via the Maritime Coastguard Agency's Search and Rescue helicopter.

"Further resources were later mobilised to help tackle the fire, with two crews transported from Shetland to Fair Isle with the assistance of the RNLI."

Research into seabirds and migration has taken place on the island since 1948. The observatory was built in 2010 and hosted visitors from April to October in three-star accommodation.