One pretty little island off of Scotland is further north than anywhere else in Britain. Unst in the Shetland Islands is the northernmost of the inhabited British Isles and the third largest island in the Shetlands.
It was an ideal resting spot for Norse travellers going from Scandinavia to Greenland and Newfoundland.
Because of this, it was settled on by many Norsemen and is now one of Europe’s richest Viking heritage sites, with over 60 longhouses uncovered.
Baltasound, the largest village, is home to the island’s only three shops. There is also a small bakery and a cafe to enjoy.
Wildlife on the island can be seen at Hermaness Nature Reserve, and Keen of Hamar Nature Reserve. There are whales, dolphins, seals, otters and birds such as gannets, kittiwakes, puffins and gulls.
Unst has five main beaches to enjoy, with white sands, cold waters and unspoilt views as well as many other hidden bays.
It also has a 16th-century Muness Castle, Shetland Distillery, walking trails and two museums, dedicated to the island’s heritage of knitting and fishing.
Nearby islands Yell and Mainland can also be visited, with beaches and museums on the former and historical sites and villages on the latter.
There are a number of places to stay on Unst, including bed and breakfasts and holiday lets. There are also some on neighbouring islands.
Visitors can get to Mainland Shetland via plane or ferry. From there it is two ferries, one from north Mainland to south Yell and another from north Yell to south Unst.
