Britain's far north — sea cliffs, seabird colonies and bare hills at the mercy of the weather
This is about as far north as Britain goes, and it feels it. Shetland’s scenic area gathers 418 square kilometres of sea cliffs, peaty hills and long inlets across scattered islands, with little between the land and the open Atlantic and North Sea.
Hermaness, out on Unst, is one of the great seabird places, with gannets, puffins and skuas in summer and the lighthouse rocks beyond. Hills like Saxa Vord and Fitful Head give big coastal views, while Da Sneug rises on remote Foula, an island reached only by small boat or plane.
The ground is open and the weather changes fast, so check the forecast, carry warm and waterproof layers, and keep well back from cliff edges, which can be undercut and crumbly. Summer brings very long daylight and the best of the birds; winter is dark, windy and for the well-prepared only.
