A steep exposed area on the north coast of Fair Isle was surveyed and compared with the north side of an adjacent sheltered bay. In each case the positions of the major algal zones were recorded on a transect line and checked against information from % frequency determinations in samples taken at random on either side of the lines. The comparison showed that on the rough coast the algal zones occurred at much higher levels: the max. difference in vertical height was approximately 3.65 m. This upward movement of the zones is explained in terms of continuous wetting of the rock surface by storm waves and the moistness of the atmosphere. Fucus spiralis f. nana and F. inflatus f. distichus appear to be characteristic of exposed coast in Fair Isle. F. inflatus f. edentatus was recorded in the functioning harbor of the Island. The presence of these algae and the nature of the zonation found in Fair Isle suggest that the affinities of the Island are less with Gt. Britain than with more northerly islands.