Top 6 Natural Monuments around Unst

Visitors frequently enjoy the dramatic clifftop scenery and vast seabird colonies at View of Hermaness Cliffs and Sea Stacks. Another highly regarded spot is Muckle Flugga Lighthouse and Sea Stacks, known for its iconic lighthouse and abundant nesting birds. For close-up encounters with puffins, the Puffin Viewing Point at Hermaness NNR is a favorite.

Unst offers fascinating geology. At Funzie Beach, you can observe millions of years old pebbles, formed by ancient geological processes. The Keen of Hamar National Nature Reserve, though not a highlight in the guide, is renowned for its unique serpentine and gabbroic rocks, creating a 'moonscape' terrain that supports rare flora.

The best time to visit Unst's natural monuments for seabird viewing is generally from mid-April to early August, when puffins and other species are nesting. For observing the rare flora at Keen of Hamar, May to July is ideal. The weather in Unst can be unpredictable, so dressing in layers and being prepared for all conditions is advisable.

While many natural monuments involve walking on rugged terrain, Funzie Beach is listed as family-friendly, offering a chance to explore unique geological features. The constructed paths and boardwalks at Hermaness National Nature Reserve also make it more accessible for families to enjoy the seabirds and dramatic views.

Hermaness National Nature Reserve is a haven for seabirds. You can expect to see over 100,000 breeding seabirds from 15 different species, including the world's third-largest colony of great skuas (bonxies). Large numbers of gannets, puffins, fulmars, and guillemots also nest here, with approximately 25,000 pairs of puffins in burrows along the clifftops.

Yes, there are several hiking opportunities near Unst's natural monuments. For example, you can find routes like the 'View of Hermaness Head – Gannets' Rock Cliffs loop' or the 'Muckle Flugga Lighthouse loop' starting from Hermaness National Nature Reserve. You can explore more hiking options on the Hiking around Unst guide.

Muckle Flugga and Out Stack are rocky islets that are part of the Hermaness National Nature Reserve. Muckle Flugga is famous for its iconic lighthouse, built in 1858, and is often described as the northernmost point of the British Isles (with Out Stack being slightly further north). These islets are significant for their dramatic appearance and as nesting sites for numerous seabirds.

The Keen of Hamar National Nature Reserve is renowned for its unique botanical landscape. Despite its barren appearance due to serpentine geology, it is the only place in the world where the endemic Shetland mouse-eared chickweed (Edmondston's Chickweed) can be found. It also hosts other rare plants like Norwegian Sandwort and Northern Rock-cress.

To fully appreciate the Hermaness National Nature Reserve, including its seabird colonies and dramatic views, you should plan for at least 2-4 hours. This allows time for walking along the constructed paths and boardwalks, observing the wildlife, and reaching viewpoints like the Puffin Viewing Point.

Yes, Unst offers cycling routes that allow you to explore the island's natural beauty. While not directly adjacent to every monument, routes like the 'Unst Bus Shelter – Norwick Beach loop' can take you through diverse landscapes. More cycling options can be found in the Cycling around Unst guide.

The Furra Stacks offer fine views along jagged cliffs, featuring impressive sea stacks and skerries. This area is also known for potential otter sightings in the two small lochs and the burn that flows into Muckle Birriers Geo. The cliffs themselves are made of conglomerate rock, said to be thousands of meters deep.