Found at the northernmost point of the British Isles, Muckle Flugga is a place of remote beauty. Located just off the northern coast of Unst in Shetland, this small islet is the almost-last rock of the UK, outdone in latitude only by the barren islet of Out Stack which lies just 600m further north. Though visitors can’t land on Muckle Flugga itself, the sight of its Lighthouse against the seemingly endless sea is an unforgettable experience. Many say the view feels like standing at the edge of the world – and they wouldn’t be wrong! Muckle Flugga, Shetland photo © Copyright Billy Fox The Island The name Muckle Flugga comes from the Old Norse Mikla Flugey, meaning ‘large steep-sided island’ – an apt name for this jagged outcrop shaped by wind and sea. Muckle Flugga once held the title of the UK’s northernmost inhabited spot until the lighthouse was automated in 1995. The isle of Unst now holds that title and provides the best vantage point for viewing the still uninhabited Muckle Flugga. Access to the isle is extremely limited as landing there requires a private charter and favourable seas – both of which are quite rare! Gannets flying past Muckle Flugga Lighthouse photo © Copyright Mike Pennington and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence Yet, the true experience of Muckle Flugga lies in the journey to see it. A scenic walk through the Hermaness National Nature Reserve on Unst brings you to a breathtaking viewpoint where you can gaze out at the lighthouse. The surrounding towering cliffs are home to thousands of seabirds, including puffins and gannets, which nest here during the summer months. Sunrise at Muckle Flugga photo © Copyright Ian Cowe The Lighthouse Muckle Flugga Lighthouse is the most northerly lighthouse in the UK built in response to the outbreak of the Crimean War. Commissioners first considered the idea to build a lighthouse in this region in 1851, but construction didn’t begin until 1854 after much debate over whether to build on Muckle Flugga or on the Lamba Ness peninsula in Unst. The first light, a temporary 50-foot structure, was established by famed lighthouse engineers Thomas and David Stevenson in October 1854. However, the temporary structure could not withstand the fierce conditions of the area with storms hurling waves right over the 200-foot summit of the isle! Muckle Flugga Lighthouse, Shetland photo © Copyright Charles Tait A permanent tower was constructed by 1858, this time reaching 64 feet tall and was built using bricks as opposed to stone blocks. This was a bold choice as brick had never been used in such an exposed location before, but its lighter weight made it easier to transport across the rugged terrain. The lighthouse was originally called the North Unst Lighthouse but was renamed Muckle Flugga Lighthouse in 1964. It stood as one of the loneliest outposts in the UK until 1995, when the light was automated and the last keeper departed.
