Description
Hermaness National Nature Reserve is a wild and dramatic coastal sanctuary located at the northernmost tip of the United Kingdom on the island of Unst. This stunning clifftop haven is world-renowned for its massive seabird colonies, including thousands of puffins and gannets that nest along its jagged, 170-metre-high cliffs. It is frequently cited as one of the best things to do with kids in Shetland for families who love the great outdoors and want to experience life at the edge of the world.
Prices start from £0.00, as entry to the reserve is free for all visitors. While there are no admission fees to walk the trails and enjoy the wildlife, families should budget for the inter-island ferry crossings required to reach Unst, which typically cost between £5 and £15 per trip.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that offers raw natural beauty and world-class wildlife watching, Hermaness is an essential visit. The reserve provides a unique educational experience where children can see rare birds in their natural habitat and stand overlooking Muckle Flugga, Britain's most northerly point.
Features
- Free
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Key Features
- Sensory Play: Listen to the "gurgling, gargling cacophony" of thousands of seabirds and feel the powerful Atlantic wind at the clifftops.
- Interactive Exhibits: The Welcome Area features an interpretation shelter with talking posts and information signs that explain the life cycles of the local birds.
- Educational Day Out: Children can learn about fragile peatland ecosystems and the vital role of conservation while walking on recycled plastic boardwalks designed to protect the landscape.
- Wildlife Watching: High-quality opportunities to see puffins, gannets, and great skuas (bonxies) at very close range during the summer months.
What to See: Highlights for Families
- Puffin Burrows: Watch "clifftop clowns" with their colourful beaks as they land clumsily near their burrows in the soft turf—a guaranteed hit with children.
- Gannetries at Neap: Witness thousands of massive gannets diving into the sea at speeds of 60mph, a truly spectacular natural display.
- Muckle Flugga Views: Look out over the iconic lighthouse perched on a jagged islet, which was once Britain's most northerly inhabited spot.
- The "Bonxie" Moorland: Walk through the home of the great skua; these "giants of the sky" are fierce protectors of their nests and are often seen soaring overhead.
- Blanket Bog Wildflowers: Explore a "riot of colour" in summer as the moorland fills with heather, orchids, and cotton grass.
Detailed Inventory
- Walking Trails: The Hermaness Hill Path, the Circular Route, and the Saito Trail.
- Bird Species: Northern Gannets (over 30,000 pairs), Atlantic Puffins, Great Skuas, Fulmars, Kittiwakes, and Shags.
- Flora: Spring squill, sea pinks (thrift), sundews, and rare Shetland hawkweeds.
- Landmarks: Muckle Flugga Lighthouse, Out Stack (the true northern tip of Britain), and the rocky geos.
- Beyond the Main Attraction: Visit the Boat Haven in Haroldswick or the Unst Bus Shelter, world-famous for its unique yearly themes.
- New for 2026: The recently completed Hermaness Visitor Hub provides updated toilet facilities and enhanced interpretation at the start of the trails.
73.32 miles
