Unst, Shetland Isles

Shetland day 24

Back on the ferry to Yell, a short drive across the island and then another 10 minute ferry trip to the Island of Unst, the northernmost of the inhabited British Isles and the third-largest island in Shetland after Mainland and Yell.

The island lays claim to many "most northerly" UK titles: the tiny settlement of Skaw in the north-east of the island is the northernmost settlement in the UK; Haroldswick is the site of Britain's most northerly church; the Muckle Flugga lighthouse, just off the far north of Unst, was opened in 1858 and is the most northerly lighthouse in the UK, situated close to Out Stack, the most northerly rock in the UK.

First stop was Hermaness, the northernmost headland of Unst and therefore the most northermost part of the United Kingdom. It consists of huge sea cliffs and moorland, making it an ideal habitat for a variety of birds. Hermaness is renowned for its internationally important seabird colonies, including the world's third largest great skua colony, fulmars, gannets, shags, puffins and guillemots.

I then visited Sandwick on the south of the Island with its sandy beach and coastal walk taking in a number of Viking sites including the remains of a longhouse and chapel.