Hermaness

Hermaness National Nature Reserve lies at the northern tip of the UK, on the island of Unst.

Hermaness Cliffs enlarge Hermaness Cliffs The reserve, which is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage, is home to one of Europe's most spectacular seabird colonies, with over 40,000 pairs of Gannets and one of the largest Bonxie (Great Skua) populations in the world. Guillemots and Razorbills also nest here on the huge, vertical cliffs and this is one of the best places in the UK to get close to Puffins.

Much of the Hermaness is covered by peat moorland where birds, such as Golden Plover, Dunlin and Skylarks, nest among the heather. Here you will also find a range of flowering plants, including Tormentil, Bog Asphodel and orchids. Cliff ledges provide some spectacular floral displays, where sheep are unable to graze. Red and Sea Campion, Thrift, Roseroot and Bird's-Foot-Trefoil all grow together in these 'hanging gardens'.

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Hermaness National Nature Reserve