Wildlife on the Island of Unst, Shetland

‍There is plenty of wildlife to be seen on the island of Unst. It will not take you long to come into contact with many of the local species including seals and otters.
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Why not have breakfast in our sun lounge that stretches across the front of the house. Here you can enjoy spectacular views across the bay where wildlife is abundant. In addition to a whole host of bird species you will see Common and Atlantic Grey Seals basking on the rocks at the end of the garden whilst Otters can be seen playing in the bay. With a little luck excitement is heightened by the possibility of a visit by a pod of hunting Orca or Humpback Whales, all from the comfort of your breakfast table.

Unst is also a birder’s paradise. Many rarities are found here each year as well as the regulars including puffin, gannet, red throated and great northern diver, guillemot and great skuas. Hermaness and Keen of Hamar Nature reserves are stunning. The gannetary of Hermaness is a spectacular gathering of birds in the summer months. You might feel as though you have landed on the moon when you first arrive at the Keen of Hamar. The barren scene seems bleak and lifeless, but appearances can be deceiving. This is a landscape in motion and nestling in its stony ground are some of the rarest plants in Britain. To the untrained eye there is certainly something special about the place, but for a botanist it is heaven.