UNST.
The island above all others.
Britain's most northerly island and the ultimate holiday destination for any traveller with adventure in their souls.
Unst is the most northerly inhabited island in the United Kingdom, and one of the most unique islands in Europe. Unst is an Island with a vast rugged landscape, unspoilt scenery often empty golden beaches and views that will leave you speechless. A photographer’s paradise. Unst is an Island rich in history, heritage and tradition. The Nature Reserves on Unst are well worth a visit and are an opportunity to see some of Britain’s best wildlife.With a population of around 700 people Unst is famed for being a friendly isle and any visitor will always be welcomed by the locals. Getting to Unst is an adventure, but so is being here. Come visit us on Unst, You won’t be disappointed
Getting to Unst
First you have to get to mainland Shetland taking a short fight with Loganair to Sumburgh airport or have an overnight adventure from Aberdeen to Lerwick on Northlink Ferries.
Are we there yet? Not quite keep heading north.
Getting from mainland Shetland to Unst will take 90 – 120 minutes in a car and involves two ferry journeys and a short journey across the Island of Yell. It’s not so far, many of the locals travel back and forth from Unst to mainland Shetland every day for work or a just wee day out. The journey to Unst is an adventure but one you will not regret taking, the views alone on the way are worth the trip, you won’t be disappointed and you will be able to say you have been to the most northerly island in the United Kingdom. How many folk can say that?
Ferry Timetables, Fares information can be found using the following handy link. www.shetland.gov.uk/ferries/timetable.asp
Getting to Unst by bus is surprisingly easy.
There is bus service from Lerwick to Unst, Monday – Saturday.
Ask at the local Visitor Information Centre in Lerwick for the most up to date information.
www.visitscotland.com/info/services/lerwick-icentre
Getting around Unst
You could if you wanted walk all the way from one end of Unst to the other in about 3 hours but other means of transport are available, http://unst.org/web/travel/getting-around/
Worried About Getting Lost on Unst.
No need to worry you won’t get lost on Unst but you might find our downloadable map of Unst helpful. The map provides locations of things to see and do, accommodation, shops, public halls, cafes, restaurants and public services. With this handy detailed map, there should be no problems finding your way around one of Europe's most unique islands.
http://www.unstpartnership.com/free-tourism-map.html
http://www.unstpartnership.com/uploads/3/0/8/3/30837619/unst_map_2016_website.pdf
You won’t be short of things to see and do on UNST here are some of our favourites.
History Heritage and Archaeology,
The Unst Heritage Centre.
www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/unst-heritage-centre-p247411
http://www.unstheritage.com/web/unst-heritage-centre/
https://www.facebook.com/Unst-Heritage-Centre-287130644647752/
The Unst Boat Haven.
https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/unst-boat-haven-p1251761
http://www.unstheritage.com/web/
https://www.facebook.com/Unst-Boat-Haven-282804348409026/
Greenwell’ Booth.
http://unst.org/web/location/things-to-do/discover-rich-history/greenwells-booth/
Muness Castle.
http://www.shetland.org/things/outdoor/cycling/baltasound-muness-castle
Hagdale Horse Mill.
http://unst.org/web/location/things-to-do/discover-rich-history/hagdale-horse-mill/
The Viking Long House Replica and Skidbladner.
http://unst.org/web/only-in-unst/viking-longhouse-replica-the-skidbladner/
Nature at its best on Unst.
Hermaness National Nature Reserve.
https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/hermaness-national-nature-reserve-p246921
http://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/snh/hermaness.htm
Keen of Hamar.
https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/keen-of-hamar-p247051
http://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/snh/hamar.htm
Halligarth Woodland.
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/wood/?woodId=39234&woodName=halligarth-woodland
Unique to Unst.
The Famous Unst Bus Shelter. http://unst.org/web/only-in-unst/unst-bus-shelter/
Foord’s Chocolates and RAF Exhibition. http://www.thenorthbase.co.uk/
The Valhalla Brewery and Shetland Reel Distillery. http://www.shetlandreel.com/distillery
The most northerly home in the UK. http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/311279
Unst Leisure Centre. https://en-gb.facebook.com/Unst-Leisure-Centre-150760711661801/
Unst Market Gardens. http://www.unstmarketgardens.shetland.co.uk/
Arts and Crafts.
Glansin Glass. http://www.glansinglass.co.uk/
Francis Wilsons Pottery. http://www.shetlandgallery.com/frances-wilson
The Shetland Gallery. http://www.shetlandgallery.com/
Wildlife to see.
Bird’s lots of and occasionally some rare ones that fly in for a visit.
Seals.
Otters.
Shetland Ponies.
Butterflies and Moths.
Whales and dolphins.
http://unst.org/web/location/attractions/wildlife-on-unst/
Shetland Orca Sightings. https://www.facebook.com/groups/shetlandorcasightings/
Shops, Cafes and Restaurants.
Victoria’s Vintage Tearooms. http://www.victoriasvintagetearooms.co.uk/
The Saxavord Resort Restaurant. https://www.saxavord.com/food-and-drink.php
The Final Checkout Shop and Café. http://unst.org/web/final-checkout-cafe/
Skibhoul Shop/Café. http://unst.org/web/location/eating-out/skibhoul-stores-self-serve-cafe/
Henderson’s Shop http://www.unst.org/2010/localinfo.html
The North Base Café http://www.thenorthbase.co.uk/cafe.html
Petrol and Post
There are a couple of places you can get petrol on Unst.
The Final Checkout and Henderson Shop. There is also a post office in Baltasound.
http://www.unst.org/2010/localinfo.html
Useful Website Links.
Visit Unst Website www.unst.org
The Unst Partnership www.unstpartnership.com
Nature in Shetland http://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/
NTS Unst and Yell http://www.nts.org.uk/Visit/Unst-and-Yell/
Shetland Heritage https://www.shetland-heritage.co.uk/unst
VisitScotland Shetland https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/shetland/
Useful Face Book Links.
Visit Unst Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/visitunst
Archaeology Shetland https://www.facebook.com/ArchaeologyShetland/
Nature in Shetland https://www.facebook.com/natureinshetland/
Shetland Visitor Unst http://www.shetlandvisitor.com/unst
A Day Away.
Some would say a day out of Unst is a day wasted, but there are lots of things to see and do that are well worth a visit, within easy reach on all our neighbouring Islands.
YELL. http://www.shetland.org/plan/areas/yell
FETLER. http://www.shetland.org/plan/areas/fetlar
MAINLAND SHETLAND http://www.shetland.org/