With all the chaos and calamity in the world right now, escaping to an idyllic island might sound like just the tonic.
On the north coast of Scotland, you’ll find Unst – which famously has more sheep than people, just one pub, and is miles from the hustle and bustle of any big cities.
The third largest island in the Shetland Islands after Mainland and Yell, and with an area of just 46 square miles, it could fit into London 13 times over. What’s more, the nearest city, Lerwick, is over two hours by car (55 miles) away.
As the UK’s most northerly inhabited place, Unst is often referred to as the ‘real life’ Treasure Island because the location heavily inspired the book’s author, Robert Louis Stevenson, who famously visited in 1869.
He even signed the visitors’ book at Muckle Flugga Lighthouse, which was designed and constructed by both his father and uncle.
Striped with white and yellow, the same colours appear on the lighthouse in Treasure Island. What’s more, the book describes Treasure Island as having an appearance like ‘a fat dragon standing up,’ which no doubt echoes the island’s shape and rugged landscape.
But the man who wrote the historic tale was keen to preserve the sanctity of the island, as the BBC notes that in 1893, he told the Sydney Morning Herald: ‘I only wish myself that I knew where it was.’
He added that he wanted to be ‘careful to give no indication as to its whereabouts for fear that there might be an undue rush towards it,’ even directing readers towards the ‘West Indies.’
But Unst isn’t just known as the inspiration behind Treasure Island. Interestingly, it became the first place in the UK to introduce a space port for vertical rockets.
Located on a former Royal Air Force military station that closed in 2006, Frank Strang bought it up and started constructing the spaceport. He ended up spending $61 million (£47,093,337.42) on the project.
The radar station, SaxaVord, was intended to warn the mainland of any incoming aircraft.
Where to stay on Unst
If you’re looking to visit Unst, there are a few options in terms of accommodation. One of the most notable is Belmont House, which is (you guessed it), the UK’s most northerly stately home.
Built in 1775, it’s now a listed building, with prices set at £180 per night. There’s a two-night minimum stay policy to allow guests to fully immerse themselves in the history of both the home and island.
There’s also the Baltasound Hotel, which is popular with both birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
There are views overlooking Balta Island and 24 bedrooms to choose from, costing £85 per night for a single room and £130 for a standard double.
What are house prices like in Unst?
Looking for some peace and tranquillity? Unst undoubtedly has all of that, with a population of just 632 – compared with 293,907 sheep across the entirety of the Shetland Islands, in case you’re looking to make a fluffy friend.
It’s good news when it comes to house prices, too. According to data from Gov UK, the current average house price across the UK rests at £282,000, and Unst was recently mentioned in a list of most affordable island homes.
Over in Unst, figures from Rightmove show that properties had an average sale price of just £169,500 — that’s roughly £112,500 cheaper.
However, these numbers were 182% up on the previous year – so if you want to get in there without breaking the bank, you’d better move quickly.
When it comes to council tax, properties in band G (valued between £106,000 and £212,000 in April 1991) come with a yearly fee of £2,468.69.
Properties at the highest end, valued over £212,000, carry costs of £3,088.49, while band A (anything up to £27,000) equates to £840.41 per year.
How to get to Unst
Wondering how on earth you get to the most northerly inhabited island in the British Isles? Fear not: there are ferries to Unst from the Shetland Mainland or from neighbouring Yell.
For travel just on foot, tickets cost just £2.80 for an adult, 80p for over 60s and children aged up to 19. However, if you’re driving between islands, a return ticket will be more like £16.50.
From the mainland, you can travel from Toft to Ulsta on Yell, and then change for one from Gutcher in Yell to Belmont in Unst. It might sound convoluted, but it’s worth it.
You can also take the 24 bus from Lerwick to Unst, or fly to Sumburgh Airport (LSI) in Shetland from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Inverness.
Things to do in Unst
Unst is inundated with stunning scenery and outdoor walks. The prime beauty spot is found at Hermaness National Nature Reserve, from which there are views of Da Waithing Skerries, the group of offshore rocks where you’ll find Muckle Flugga – the lighthouse that made it onto the pages of Treasure Island.
It’s also home to the UK’s most northerly sandy beach: Skaw Beach. Nestled in a hamlet which also houses the UK’s most northerly house (are you spotting a theme here?), the beach itself is gorgeous, white and pearly.
It’s also neighboured by a meadow that boasts stunning wildflowers in both spring and summer, as well as another beach – Inner Skaw.
Fancy a tipple? Well, you’ve got limited options, because Unst only has one pub: the Balta Light. As well as an array of alcoholic beverages on tap, it’s also got a pool table, dart board, and jukebox in case you’re inspired to crack out the tunes.
There’s also plenty of history to explore, including the legacy of the Vikings. Over 60 longhouses were discovered at Underhoull, Belmont and Hamar, as, being 61 degrees north, Unst was supposedly an idyllic resting spot for those travelling between Scandinavia, Greenland and Newfoundland.
Likewise, there are artefacts from WWII to be discovered, including the remnants of a radar station and the Ministry of Defence’s radar base.
Similarly, the 16th century Muness Castle is technically Britain’s most northerly castle – and is found on the south-eastern part of the island.
Want your own island? There are plenty for sale
If simply moving to the place that inspired Treasure Island isn’t enough, you could go one step further and buy an entire island for yourself.
Eilean Loch Oscair is completely uninhabited and is found off the northwest coast of Scotland. It’s technically one of the least explored areas of the west coast – but it’s now for sale for £125,000.
Naturally, you’ll need a boat to access this 10-acre long island. And while you won’t have any human neighbours, it’s populated with otters, seals, and even porpoises.
Elsewhere, Sanda Island up in Scotland (just off the Mull of Kintyre) is also currently for sale. And for the price of £2.5 million, it comes with two stone slipways to access the island via boat and even a helipad.
The island already has property built on it too, so you won’t need to acquire the necessary permissions. The price you’ll pay will get you a farmhouse and two lighthouses.
You’ll also inherit two smaller islands too: Sheep and Glunimore.
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