On a faraway isle, an unusual approach to veterinary care

When the sole veterinarian on Tiree retired last year, no practice buyer stepped in, leaving inhabitants of the remote Scottish island without a replacement.

The difficulty of luring a new practitioner to settle somewhere that's four hours by ferry from the mainland has led the people of Tiree to implement a plan B, which is working out so promisingly so far that it has become their preferred option.

This story was published on April 1, 2026.