Unst
Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia that anyone can edit
| OS Name: | Unst |
|---|---|
| Shetland Name: | Unst |
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| UK Grid Reference: | HP610080 |
| Area (ha): | 12068 ha |
| Population: | 720 (2001 census) |
| Community Council: | Unst Community Council |
| Ferry Services: | Ro-ro service from Gutcher in Yell. |
| Notes: | |
Unst, is the most northerly island in Shetland, and indeed the UK. Approximately 12 miles long, north to south, and 5 miles wide, with the highest point being the hill of Saxa Vord at 285m.
The island is served by ro-ro ferries which operate from Belmont, at the south west corner of the island, to Gutcher in the nearby island of Yell, and also to Hamars Ness on the island of Fetlar. Unst also has an airport, near to the main settlement of Baltasound, which was used for the transfer of oil workers to offshore oilfields, until those flight operations were transferred to Scatsta Airport.
Apart from the main settlement of Baltasound, there are significant settlements at Haroldswick and Uyeasound.
The population of Unst was 720 at the 2001 census, but since then, with the closure of the RAF base at Saxa Vord, in 2005, there has been a decline in the population.
The withdrawal of the RAF from Unst was a blow to the islands economy, as they were the largest employer, however part of the former accommodation buildings at Saxa Vord were re-opened in early summer 2007 by new owners Military Asset Management as Saxa Vord Resort, offering year-round self-catering holidays and restaurant and bar facilities. More of the complex will be opened in 2008 with extra facilities.
Unst lays claim to many "Most Northerly" UK titles, including Muckle Flugga Lighthouse, Haroldswick Post Office,Valhalla Brewery, and the settlement of Skaw.
The island also boasts several buildings of importance, including Muness Castle and Greenwell's Booth. Perhaps not an important building, but nevertheless well known is Bobby's Bus Shelter, which could possibly claim to be the most photographed bus shelter in the UK.
Unst has contributed largely to the literature of Shetland, with such famous 19th C. natives as Thomas Edmondston, Jessie M. E. Saxby and Basil R Anderson, and Andrew T. Cluness, W. Fordyce Clark, Charles Sandison, Samuel S. Polson, Jack Renwick, Frank Renwick and Paul J. Ritch more recently.
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Shipwrecks on Unst
The St. Mathew wrecked on The Framd, Hermaness on 22nd December 22nd 1740, as did the Swan at the Bight of Stuggins, near Westing on November 16th 1799, the Dayspring went ashore at Mu Ness on August 30th 1904, the Tonis Chandris grounded and later sank near Mu Ness on January 9th 1940, as did the SRT661 on Spoo Ness, near Westing on March 27th 1956.
