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Hermaness National Nature Reserve adventures

Hermaness National Nature Reserve Adventures

Hermaness National Nature Reserve offers stunning coastal landscapes and is home to an array of seabirds, making it a prime destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

1,200
Acres Protected
6
Miles of Trails
Not specified
Annual Visitors
1955
Year Established

About Hermaness National Nature Reserve

Hermaness National Nature Reserve
 

Hermaness National Nature Reserve, located on the island of Unst in the Shetland Islands, Scotland, spans over 1,200 acres. It is renowned for its rugged cliffs and dramatic coastal scenery, which provide critical breeding grounds for a large variety of seabirds, including puffins, gannets, and great skuas. Historically, Hermaness was used for peat cutting by local crofters, but today its main allure lies in its untouched natural beauty and rich biodiversity. Visitors can take on hiking trails that weave through heathlands, greet stunning cliff-top views, and experience the fascinating plunge of seabirds diving from the cliffs. With a diversity of ecological zones, from bogs to moors, Hermaness also hosts an array of plant life adapted to the windy, saline conditions. The landscape and the vast sky especially appeal to photographers looking for dynamic and rugged terrain.

Highlights

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Muckle Flugga Lighthouse

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Puffin and Gannet Colonies

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Shetland Islands' Northernmost Point

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Spectacular Clifftop Views

Notable Natural Features

Muckle Flugga

A lighthouse perched on a rocky island, known for being the northernmost lighthouse in the UK.

Puffin Colony

Home to thousands of puffins during the breeding season, providing excellent wildlife observation opportunities.

Saxa Vord

A high point offering panoramic views of the North Atlantic and surrounding islands.