Unst

Unst is the northernmost inhabited island in the Shetland Islands of Scotland, sitting beyond Yell and separated from the rest of the archipelago by the Bluemull Sound. It’s a windswept mix of moor, peatland and dramatic cliffs – notably the Hermaness nature reserve – that shelter huge seabird colonies, puffins and otters; the lonely rocks of Muckle Flugga and Out Stack mark the UK’s extreme north.

People on Unst have long lived by crofting, fishing and knitwear traditions, with a strong Norse legacy visible in local place names and archaeology; small communities such as Baltasound and Haroldswick keep lively local events, crafts and museums. The island also has a modern twist in the old radar site at Saxa Vord, which has featured in proposals for aerospace ventures, while tourism, heritage and a resilient community economy remain central to island life.