Tag: Shetland

  • Unst

    I continued my way up north in Unst in direction of the Shetland Reel Distillery for my gin tasting. On the way, I saw some of Unsts sights, it was easier here to find them than in Yell.

     

    Bobby´s Bus shelter

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

    Probably the most famous bus shelter worldwide – Bobby´s Bus Shelter and this lovely honesty box is situated near Baltasound. Each year the shelter gets decorated with a new theme, but nobody knows who are the masterminds behind the decoration.

    And you definitely want to have a look into that honesty box, such amazing produce!

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

    Saxa Vord

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

    It was time for my gin tasting at the most northerly distillery in the UK – Shetland Reel Gin. It turned out that I was the only guest and got to try all the different gins. It was founded to distil whisky and as we all know whisky takes a long time, so to earn some money gin seemed to be an option. Using only local botanicals Shetland Reel gin soon earned awards and lots of fans. They still don´t produce whisky but a range of different gins with special editions for the Up Helly AA festival, a rocket countdown or special book editions. I also got the tip to look out for the special editions in the local shops as they often stock them. (A few days later I was lucky enough to score a Filska edition, which was very tasty.)

    Even so, I kept myself back with tasting the different gin a bit of a walk was necessary and I wanted to explore Saxa Vord anyway,

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

    Unst played an important role in the defence of the UK during World War 2. By 1945 there were two radar stations in Unst, one at Saxa Vord and another one in Skaw. The houses and buildings we see today used to house the employees until its closing in 2005.

    Today there is a new radar station based in Saxa Vord, but nobody is based there all the time. The houses and buildings became holiday resorts. My lovely guide at the distillery told me, that usually lots of guests from Norway come with cruises and stay in Unst. This year I was the first non-UK-resident tourist coming to Shetland Reel.

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

    Skaw Beach

    Skaw is the most northerly settlement in the UK, including the most northern house. I went to the most northerly beach, which was stunning. And it is also the most northerly point of the British Cycle Route.

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

    It is a narrow and sometimes steep road to get there but it is worth it!

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

  • Unst

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

    On a misty morning, I drove the 5 seconds to the ferry and went to explore Unst, the most northerly island in the UK. Rich with Viking heritage, Unst is closer to Norway than mainland Scotland and has stunning nature. From white beaches to beautiful voes – Unst offers a lot.

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

    After arriving in Unst I turned left to Uyeasound, a small town on the south coast of Unst and was greeted by the Unst weather rock and this lovely little honesty café and also an honesty rock shop on the other side of the harbour.

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

    Greenwells Booth

    Greenwells Booth is a stone house from the 17th century and used to be a Hanseatic trading booth.

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

    Leaving Uyeasound in direction of Muness Castle I soon saw a greeting from former times – The Clivocast Stone, also known as the Uyea Breck Standing Stone – standing tall above Uyeasound. It is said to mark the spot where the son of the Viking Harald Harfager was killed in 900 AD.

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

    Muness Castle

    Muness Castle was built-in 1598 for the ruthless Lawrence Bruce and it is one of only two castles in Shetland, the other being in Scalloway. It is Britains most northerly castle. Lawrence Bruse was the half brother to Robert Stewart, 1st Earl of Orkney, and uncle to the tyrannical Earl Patrick Stewart (who built Scalloway Castle). The Bruce family sold the castle in 1718 and it had fallen into ruin by the end of that century.

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

  • More about Yell

    exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.

    I continued my exploring of Yell along the East coast back up to my hut with a few little detours making new friends.

    exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.

    I was actually looking for a broch but found this lovely space with a little surprise behind the house – a white beach.

    exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.

    exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.

    I think the broch might be somewhere over there?

    exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.