Getting Here
Although situated on most northern extremity of the British Isles, on the wild and rugged outer edge of Europe, Unst is surprisingly easy to visit.
Location
Where is Shetland?
See our location on this Google Map centred on Valsgarth (near Saxa Vord).
Step 1 - Getting to Shetland
.jpg "Click to load a PDF map showing how to get to Shetland")
Daily flights from Scotland’s major cities and twice weekly flights from London land at Sumburgh Airport on the southern tip of Shetland, and from there a magnificent drive takes you north to Unst. Alternatively, you can take the car ferry to Lerwick, Shetland’s county town, either from Aberdeen or from the North Coast of Scotland via Orkney.
However you choose to get to Unst, you will be richly rewarded with magnificent views and a journey to remember.
Getting To Shetland By Air
BA/Loganair flights arrive daily at Sumburgh from Aberdeen (60 mins), Edinburgh (90 mins), Glasgow (90 mins), Kirkwall (35 mins), while connecting flights will carry you from London Heathrow in as little as 3hrs 15 mins, and from Inverness in 100 mins. London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen are easily reached in turn from some of Britain’s, Europe’s and the World’s key travel hubs. For details see: Loganair
In addition, Atlantic Airways flies to Shetland twice a week (on Mondays and Fridays) from London Stansted throughout the summer season. For details see: Atlantic Airways
It is therefore a simple matter to get to Unst from major British cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham and Belfast; from almost any country in Europe, including Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland; or long-haul from countries like Canada, the USA and India.
To find out more please see the following links:
- Fly to Shetland (Sumburgh):
- Fly to Aberdeen: Flights To Aberdeen
- Fly to Edinburgh: Edinburgh Airport.com/
- Fly to Glasgow: Getting To Glasgow By Air
Getting To Shetland By Sea
What better way to start your island holiday than by arriving by sea? Northlink Ferries runs daily services from Aberdeen to Lerwick (overnight service) and from Scrabster (Thurso) on Scotland’s North Coast to Stromness on Mainland Orkney, then from Kirkwall on the same island to Lerwick.
The Aberdeen vessels are 125 metres long and can carry up to 600 passengers plus cars and freight, while the Scrabster ferry is 110 metres long but takes the same number of passengers. All three boats were designed for northern waters and facilities include 2-bed cabins plus family rooms, restaurants, bars, entertainment, children’s play area and shop.
To find out more see: Northlink Ferries
In addition, if travelling from Europe you can sail on the car ferry from Zeebrugge, Belgium to Rosyth near Edinburgh: Rosyth Ferry Port, or to Newcastle, England from a variety of Norwegian ports together with Gothenburg, Sweden and Amsterdam, Netherlands. See: Ferry Routs
Step 2 - Getting To Saxa Vord From Air or Ferry Port
The drive from Sumburgh Airport on the southern tip of Shetland to Saxa Vord at the northern tip, a journey of 78 miles, is a wonderfully memorable trip in itself. The roads, recently modernised, are very easy to drive and the wide, open vistas are spectacular: everything from rolling pasture and small farms to wild, exposed heathery hills, and mighty, rocky coastal headlands to small sheltered bays: and hardly a tree to be seen anywhere. There is so much to explore on Shetland and you have all the time in the world, so don’t rush – relax and enjoy it!
Lerwick, Shetland’s county town, and location of the main Ferry Terminal, lies 22 miles north of Sumburgh and is well worth a visit. In particular, a walk round the fascinating and informative New Shetland Museum and Archives, which opens in Spring 2007, will prepare you beautifully for your stay on Unst. See Shetland Museum And Archives
The 2 ferries linking Mainland to Yell and Yell to Unst are another great treat. Look out for otters, porpoises and other cetaceans – and the hot chocolate in the vending machine on the Mainland to Yell ferry is highly recommended!