Skaw, settlement on the Shetland island of Unst
Skaw is a small village on the island of Unst on the Shetland Islands and the northernmost inhabited settlement in Great Britain. It sits on a peninsula on a hilltop with open grassland and grazing sheep, with a fine sandy beach sloping down to the east facing the North Sea.
The settlement was established by Vikings, whose influence remains visible in the place's Norse naming. During World War II, the Royal Air Force built a radar station here to defend against possible attacks from the north and monitor incoming aircraft and ships.
The name Skaw comes from Old Norse meaning a cape or headland, reflecting the Viking heritage of this northernmost place. The few houses here are painted in bright colors that stand out against the grass and rocks, embodying the simple and authentic way of life on this remote island.
Access is via a narrow winding road that climbs over a hill and offers striking views of the cliffs and coastline along the way. Visitors should bring weatherproof clothing and be prepared for strong wind and rough sea conditions that occur throughout the year.
This is the northernmost inhabited point in Great Britain with houses and a post office, reached by the country's most northerly road. The granite on the coast contains large pink feldspar crystals and embedded older rocks, showing the complex geological story that spans millions of years.
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