You’re Unst-believable
The compact, beautiful and intriguing isle of Unst is Shetland in miniature
THE most northerly of the British Isles – more than 250km (155 miles) north of John O’groats – is the small island of Unst in the Shetland archipelago. At just 120km² (46 square miles) and with around 500 residents, Unst still manages to pack a lot in! This island at the end of Scotland is the perfect destination for a Shetland getaway.
One of Shetland’s greatest draws is, of course, its scenery, and the dramatic cliff top views, ever-changing seas and golden beaches of Unst are the perfect distillation of all Shetland has to offer.
The holiday itinerary will be a busy one for any keen walkers visiting the area as there are more than 160km (100 miles) of walking trails that lead you along the coast, across rugged moorland or up and down the island’s gentle inclines.
For nature lovers, a walk to the island’s northern tip leads you to Hermaness Nature Reserve, overlooking Britain’s most northerly point and lighthouse, Muckle Flugga. The steep cliffs are a hive of activity, alive with the noise and movement of seabirds. Sit and watch as puffins, kittiwakes and gannets flit between the churning sea and the wildflower-lined cliffs.
One thing to remember about Shetland is its temperamental climate. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, it is open to the elements, so windy, rainy or even stormy day activities are a necessity. Luckily, Unst literally has you covered and two options are the Saxa Vord Distillery and the Unst Heritage Centre.
Saxa Vord is an EX-RAF site that over the last
12 years has been regenerated into a resort providing self-catering accommodation, hostel rooms, restaurant, bar, and the distillery.
As with most of Unst’s attractions, Saxa Vord Distillery is the most northerly in the UK and its current offering is Shetland Reel Gin. While they patiently wait for their whisky to mature, this young distillery has found its niche distilling gin that embodies Unst. Using purely local botanicals, the gin is enjoyed the world over and visitors can enjoy a tour and tasting at this truly unique distillery.
The Unst Heritage Centre is a charming small museum that encapsulates the rich history of the island. Much like Unst itself, the museum is authentic, compact and filled with intrigue, covering thousands of years of settlers.
The heritage centre is just one of many historical hotspots on the island and visitors should also take in the sites of Viking Unst. More than 60 Viking longhouses are known about on the island with three excavated at Hamar, Underhoull and Belmont and the replica Viking ship Skibladner can be visited in Haroldswick.
Unst’s biggest claim to fame is its geographical position and Melissa Stewart from Promote Shetland shared a few places on Unst that can lay claim to being the most northerly of their kind in Britain.
“Victoria’s Vintage Tearooms is the most northerly tearoom in Britain and is full of delicious goodies,” Melissa says. “The Final Checkout Shop is Britain’s most northerly shop and they have a small café serving simple but satisfying snacks – perfect for an end of walk treat.”
Many places could fall into gimmick with a reliance on a claim such as this, but everything on Unst is done with authenticity. With its stunning natural beauty and array of attractions, it has more than enough to boast about.
It is a community-led place with an amazingly welcoming atmosphere. Any visitor to Unst will be greeted with open arms, whether it’s an invite to a ceilidh in Baltasound or a friendly wave on the street in Haroldswick, you will immediately feel at home.