WELCOME TO UNST - THE SPECIAL ISLAND AT THE END OF BRITAIN

Britain's most northerly inhabited island is one of the most spectacular, varied and interesting in Europe. Unst has everything that attracts visitors to Shetland - and a little bit more.

Packed into an area just 12 miles long by 5 miles wide are stupendous cliffs, jagged sea stacks, sheltered inlets, golden beaches, heathery hills, freshwater lochs, peat bogs, fertile farmland - and even a unique, sub-arctic, stony desert.

This intricate landscape supports a rich variety of wildlife, as well as pure - bred Shetland sheep and ponies which roam the common grazing land. Here you can meet Unst's world-famous Shetland Ponies at the roadside.

Unst is a major European breeding site for seabirds, including gannets, puffins, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and shags, and for moorland-nesting rarities such as great skuas, Arctic skuas and whimbrels. Seals abound, porpoises are common and you may even see the shy otter or a pod of passing killer whales.

Unst is an ideal place to enjoy bird-watching, botany, geology, archaeology, walking, sailing, angling or traditional music - or just to enjoy the peace and quiet. It is also a very sociable community of some 900 people who welcome visitors at concerts, dances, regattas and other local events.

As well as the great outdoor attractions of birdwatching at Hermaness National Nature Reserve, rare plants on the Keen of Hamar, sea - and loch-angling and some wonderful coastal walks, there's plenty on offer if the weather keeps you indoors.

The Unst Boat Haven is Shetland's only museum dedicated to the history of the islands' distinctive wooden boats and the line-fishermen who used them until the early 20th century. Modern pleasure boats can be seen at the Unst Marina in Baltasound, along with the 'Far Haaf' a locally-built replica of a sixareen (six-oared boat).

The Unst Heritage Centre tells the engrossing story o the islanders' struggle for existence over the centuries. Most Unst families are still involved with the traditional crafting life depicted here, but there's a variety of other work based on the island's resources and position, such as quarrying, fish farming, craftwork (fine knitwear in particular) wildlife tourism - and a important role in the nation's defences.

Perhaps the most welcome surprise on a cold, wet day is the heated swimming pool in the modern Unst Leisure Centre, where visitors are always welcome to use the pool and other facilities. We hope you enjoy your visit to this remarkable, accessible and welcoming island.