Shetland Hamefarin 2010

Hermaness National Nature Reserve

Hermaness is home to a population of 100,000 breeding birds, such as gannets and puffins. It is also known as the ‘land of the bonxie’, as it is the third largest colony of great skuas in the world. The moors contain areas of blanket bog, which is a threatened habitat. A five-minute walk over the hill from the entrance to the reserve is needed to be able to view the cliffs and birds.

There is a visitor centre at Hermaness, run by Scottish Natural Heritage, which features information and displays about the various types of bird and plant life to be found on the reserve. There is a warden based at a nearby shore station who may be on hand to answer visitor’s questions.

The original use of the station was as a shore base for the Muckle Flugga lighthouse. This can be seen from the northernmost point in the UK that can be walked to. The lighthouse was built in 1857 under the direction of Thomas Stevenson, the father of Robert Louis Stevenson.

Visitor Information

The island of Unst is accessible by a regular ferry from the island of Yell. Yell can be accessed by ferry from Toft in the north mainland. To get Hermaness head north to Haroldswick and then north-west to Burrafirth.

Hermaness Visitor Centre
Hermaness
Unst

Telephone: +44 (0) 1595 69 3345
Email: hermaness_nnr@snh.gov.uk
Web: www.snh.org.uk/nnr-scotland/reserve.asp

Further Information

• www.snh.org.uk/nnr-scotland/reserve.asp
• www.nature-shetland.co.uk/snh/hermaness.htm
• www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/unst/hermaness/index.html

Where to Eat

Northern Lights Café
Uyeasound Hall
Uyeasound
Unst

Telephone: +44 (0) 1957 755 318