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VisitShetland, Market Cross, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0LU, UK

Welcome to Shetland

Unst

Britain's most northerly inhabited island

Unst is one of the most spectacular, varied and interesting islands in Europe. It has everything that attracts visitors to Shetland - and a little bit more.

Traditional Shetland RamTraditional Shetland Ram

Packed into an area just 12 miles long by five miles wide are stupendous cliffs, jagged sea stacks, low, rocky shores, sheltered inlets, golden beaches, heathery hills, freshwater lochs, peat bogs, fertile farmland - and even a unique, sub-arctic, stony desert.

This intricate landscape supports a rich variety of wildlife, as well as purebred Shetland sheep and ponies which roam the common grazing land. Here you can meet Unst's world-famous Shetland Ponies at the roadside.

Unst is a major European breeding site for seabirds, such as Gannet, Puffin, Guillemot ('murre' in USA), Razorbill, Kittwake and Shag, and for moorland-nesting rarities such as Great Skua, Arctic Skua and Whimbrel.

Seals abound, porpoises are common and you may even see the shy otter or a pod of passing Orcas.

Unst is an ideal place to enjoy bird-watching, botany, geology, archaeology, walking, sailing, angling or traditional music - or just to enjoy the peace and quiet. It's also a very sociable community of some 500 people who welcome visitors at concerts, dances, regattas and other local events.

As well as the great outdoor attractions of birdwatching at Hermaness National Nature Reserve, rare arctic-alpine plants on the Keen of Hamar, sea- and loch-angling and some wonderful coastal walks, there's plenty on offer if the weather keeps you indoors.

The Unst Boat Haven is Shetland's only museum dedicated to the history of the islands' distinctive wooden boats and the line-fishermen who used them until the early 20th century. The pleasure-boat descendants of these Viking-inspired craft can be seen at the Unst Marina in Baltasound, along with the 'Far Haaf', a locally-built replica of a sixareen (six-oared boat).

The Unst Heritage Centre tells the engrossing story of the islanders' struggle for existence over the centuries. Most Unst families are still involved with the traditional crofting life depicted here, but there's a variety of other work based on the island's resources and position, such as quarrying, fish farming, craftwork (fine knitwear in particular), wildlife tourism - and an important role in the nation's defences.

Perhaps the most welcome surprise on a cold, wet day is the heated swimming pool in the modern Unst Leisure Centre, where visitors are always welcome to use the pool and other facilities.

We hope you enjoy your visit to this remarkable, accessible and welcoming island.

Find out more about Unst.
View our Unst interpretive leaflet.
Find out about the Stones, Sea & Settlements (pdf) trail.
Download the Discover Yell, Unst & Fetlar (pdf) leaflet.

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Feature

2009 Photo Competition

2009 Photo Competition

VisitShetland is pleased to announce the launch of their 5th annual photocompetition.  This year's theme is 'Shetland's Wild Side'.

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Advertising Feature

2009 Wildlife Holidays In Shetland

2009 Wildlife Holidays In Shetland

Shetland offers the best wildlife-watching in Scotland - FACT.

Over a million breeding seabirds, the highest density of Otters in Europe, regular sightings of Killer Whales and superb displays of rare sub-arctic flora. Our award-winning holidays offer everything from fully guided wildlife weeks and long weekends, dedicated birdwatching holidays plus photographic, walking and insight holidays.

Visit our extensive website www.shetlandwildlife.co.uk or call Shetland Wildlife on 01950 422483 for a choice of over 30 holidays!

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Blue Sky Holidays

Don't miss the opportunity to join an art holiday experience with Blue Sky Studios this summer!  There will be different locations for inspiration and the chance to use charcoal, inks, pencil and watercolour.

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Upcoming Event: Shetland Nature Festival

Upcoming Event: Shetland Nature Festival

Shetland's 2nd Nature Festival is set to start this Friday until 12th July.  Don't miss this opportunity to join a variety of specialised wildlife tours with local rangers, photography sessions and expert talks.

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Geopark Shetland Celebrates Shetland Nature Festival

Geopark Shetland Celebrates Shetland Nature Festival

Building on the success of the launch of the Volcano Trail and Geopark Shetland website, Geopark Shetland is holding a number of exciting events to celebrate this years’ Shetland Nature Festival.

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Shetland Museum and Archives seeks information on Emigrants for Hamefarin Exhibition

Shetland Museum and Archives seeks information on Emigrants for Hamefarin Exhibition

In 2010, Shetland will host a Hamefarin (homecoming), welcoming Shetlanders from all around the world back to their home islands.  As part of the celebrations Shetland Museum and Archives is developing a special exhibition and are appealing for images and objects relating to Shetland emigrants. (Above photo:  Laurence and Ester Ward on Daytona Beach, Florida, USA, August 1954)

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Shetland in the Viking World: Exciting conference in Shetland this summer

Shetland Amenity Trust is to hold an exciting Viking conference, which will explore Shetland’s place in the Viking world, from the 16th - 19th July 2009.

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