A remote Scottish island has welcomed its first baby after 34 years, bringing a rare moment of joy to its small community, 24News HD TV reported on Friday.
Duncan Wilder Thorston Suarez Ford was born on September 15 on North Ronaldsay, a small island located in the northern part of Scotland.
He is the first baby to be born on the island in 34 years.
The baby’s mother, Alice Trail Ford, said North Ronaldsay is only about three miles long and two miles wide.
She and her partner, Jorge Suarez, divide their time between the island and Costa Rica.
The couple had hoped their son would be born in Costa Rica and had even bought tickets to travel there. However, their plans changed, and the baby was born on the island instead.
Alice said her family bought the island in 1727, making her son’s birth there a particularly special and memorable moment for the family.
“I return here every year because of my strong connection with the island,” she said.
According to Scottish government figures for 2024, North Ronaldsay had a population of 72. Alice said only 51 people are currently living there.
She believes the long gap between births is mainly due to the island’s limited medical facilities. There is no doctor or hospital on North Ronaldsay, with only a nurse available to provide medical care.
The arrival of the newborn has therefore become an especially significant event for the island’s small and closely connected community.