UnstUnst at a Glance
About Unst
Unst is an island in the Shetland archipelago of Scotland and is the northernmost inhabited island of the United Kingdom. It is noted for its rugged coastline, archaeological remains and significant seabird populations.
Key natural highlights include the Hermaness National Nature Reserve with dramatic cliffs and large breeding colonies of seabirds such as puffins and northern gannets. Cultural sites include the ruin of Muness Castle and archaeological remains from Norse and earlier periods.
The island has a history of Norse settlement and later Scottish habitation, with evidence of Viking-era activity and continuing crofting and fishing traditions. Tourism focuses on wildlife watching, hiking and heritage sites.
Unst lies north of the Shetland Mainland and is reached by ferry or regional air connections to the Shetland Islands, with local roads linking the island’s small settlements.
- Geographical superlative: Unst is the northernmost inhabited island of the United Kingdom and holds several important seabird colonies that attract birdwatchers in summer.
- Getting there: Access is by ferry from Mainland Shetland and by a short drive from regional ferry terminals and air links to the Shetland Mainland.
What to See#
- Hermaness NNR: Hermaness National Nature Reserve - a large coastal reserve on the northern tip with high sea cliffs, extensive seabird colonies and breeding puffins and gannets.
- Muness Castle: Muness Castle - a 16th-century fortress ruin on the east coast and one of Britain’s northernmost castles, accessible by local roads and paths.
Best Time to Visit Unst
Best visited in summer (June-August) when daylight is longest, weather is mildest and transport/services are most reliable.
Weather & Climate near Unst
Unst's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 15°C. Abundant rainfall (1249 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 3° - 6° | -1° | 144 mm | overcast | 81% | 9.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.4h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 6° | -2° | 98 mm | overcast | 81% | 8.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.8h |
| March | Poor | 2° - 7° | -1° | 129 mm | overcast | 81% | 8.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.6h |
| April | Poor | 4° - 8° | 2° | 75 mm | overcast | 83% | 7.5 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 14.4h |
| May | Acceptable | 6° - 11° | 5° | 50 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.7 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 17.0h |
| June | Acceptable | 8° - 13° | 11° | 57 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.1 m/s | 1.1 high | 18.5h |
| July | Acceptable | 10° - 15° | 12° | 59 mm | overcast | 88% | 5.9 m/s | 1.0 high | 17.8h |
| August | Acceptable | 10° - 15° | 13° | 81 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 15.4h |
| September | Poor | 9° - 13° | 11° | 119 mm | overcast | 86% | 7.3 m/s | 0.4 low | 12.7h |
| October | Poor | 7° - 10° | 5° | 135 mm | overcast | 83% | 8.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.9h |
| November | Poor | 4° - 8° | 2° | 155 mm | overcast | 82% | 8.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.2h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 6° | -1° | 147 mm | overcast | 81% | 8.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.5h |
How to Get to Unst
From Lerwick (Shetland Mainland) drive north on the A968 to the Toft ferry terminal and take the Toft-Ulsta ferry to Yell. Cross Yell by road to Gutcher and take the short Gutcher-Belmont ferry onto Unst; once on Unst you can drive to the island’s settlements and attractions. Vehicle ferries and local roads provide the only regular public access to Unst.
Tips for Visiting Unst
- Plan Unst as a summer-day trip when ferries and visitor services run most frequently and daylight hours allow exploration of the northern sites like Hermaness and Muness Castle.
- Schedule your travel around published inter-island ferry timetables and book vehicle space in high season - ferry crossings between the Shetland islands are the practical constraint that dictates how much you can see in one day.
- Make time for the Hermaness cliffs reserve and for walking past the main car parks to the seabird viewing points; puffin and gannet colonies are concentrated on the headlands and are often better observed from the reserve trails than from roadside viewpoints.