Unst

Unst is the ultimate Shetland destination - the absolute end of every Great North Road in Britain, it has the northernmost of everything. It is also one of the most spectacular, varied and interesting islands in Europe.

A quick introduction

Unst is one of the richest Viking heritage sites in Europe, with over 60 longhouses uncovered by archaeologists at Underhoull, Belmont and Hamar. At 61 degrees north, the island was said to be the ideal resting spot for Norse travellers on the trading route between Scandinavia, Greenland and Newfoundland. Many Norsemen settled in this northerly outpost, working the land and making it their home.

Thanks to its extreme location, Unst has always played an important role in the nation's defences. The remains of a very early Second World War radar station can still be seen and the Ministry of Defence radar base on top of Saxa Vord, visible from much of the island. The base was reactivated in 2019 and new equipment was installed.

Many Unst families are still involved with the traditional crofting life, but there's a variety of other work, including quarrying, fish farming, craftwork (fine knitwear in particular), wildlife tourism and even space exploration.

How to get to Unst

To get to Unst you need to travel through Yell. Scheduled daily ferries run frequently from Toft (Mainland) to Ulsta (Yell) and from Gutcher (Yell) to Belmont in Unst. Allow 30 minutes to drive between Ulsta and Gutcher. See our Getting around Shetland pages for more information.

Where to stay

You'll find a list of accommodation options on the Visit Unst website, including self-catering, bed and breakfast and camping. You can also see a list of accommodation providers on our Accommodation page.

There's plenty for visitors to explore in Unst. David Gifford

Download a printable Unst Visitor Leaflet

Open PDF

Things to see and do in Unst

Useful information

Unst has three shops, all in Baltasound: The Final Checkout, Henderson's Stores (known as Ethel's) and Skibhoul Stores, next to Britain's most northerly post office and with an acclaimed bakery.
Fuel is available in Baltasound.
There are public toilets at the Belmont Ferry Terminal, Uyeasound, Baltasound and Hermaness.
Gardiesfauld Youth Hostel has hook-up points for motorhomes and camping pitches.

More places to explore

Keen of Hamar Nature Reserve

Situated just outside Baltasound and also managed by NatureScot, your first impressions of the Keen of Hamar are probably of a stony wasteground – barren, bleak and lifeless. But a closer look will reward you with a delicate carpet of tiny and often very rare plants, including Edmondston's Chickweed – found only in Unst.

Viking heritage sites

The island of Unst is rich with the archaeological remains of Viking settlements. There are at least 60 longhouses, the highest density of rural Viking sites anywhere, including Scandinavia. Three have been excavated and you can see a longhouse reconstruction at Haroldswick as well as the 'Skidbladner' – a replica Gokstad ship. Find out more on our Follow the Vikings page.

Shetland Distillery

The distillery at Saxa Vord is the most northerly in Britain and provides guided tasting tours for visitors. Based in the former RAF base, the Shetland Distillery Company produces Shetland Reel gin and whisky.

Fascinating facts

The northerly headland of Hermaness is said to have once been home to a giant named Herman who fought with another giant, named Saxa, over a mermaid. The giants threw rocks at each other and the legend is that these are the rocks and stacks that surround the headland.
Author Robert Louis Stevenson's father and uncle were the main design engineers for the lighthouse on Muckle Flugga (as well as the lighthouses in Whalsay, Bressay and Out Skerries). Young Stevenson himself visited Unst with his father, and the island is claimed to have become the basis for the map of the fictional Treasure Island.
Shetland Spaceport at Saxa Vord is the UK’s first dedicated vertical launch site, designed to send small satellites into orbit, putting Shetland at the forefront of Europe's growing space industry. Find out more on our space page.