Sand Wick, Burga Wick, Colvadale and Whale Back

This easy coastal circuit on Unst packs a surprising amount into roughly 9 km / 5.6 miles, with about 200 m / 656 ft of ascent spread gently enough that most walkers will find it manageable in fair conditions. The route explores the shoreline around Sand Wick and Burga Wick before reaching the deserted settlement at Colvadale and the dark coastal rock formation known as the Whale Back. Expect a mix of grassy trods, short rough sections, stiles, and uneven coastal ground rather than a built path throughout. The walking is not technically difficult, but the terrain can become wet, soft, and slippery after rain, and exposed sections feel much wilder when the wind is up. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

The start is near Hannigarth, close to Sandwick Beach on Unst, reached by a minor road off the Uyeasound–Muness road. That is the clearest nearby landmark for the trailhead, and there is a small parking area with an information board used for local walks in this area. Walkhighlands gives the start for the closely related Sandwick Beach and Framgord route at grid reference HP619015, which places the beginning near Hannigarth and Sandwick Beach. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

The outing begins with an easy descent toward the pale sands of Sand Wick, one of the most attractive beaches on Unst. Early on, the walking is straightforward and the views open quickly across the bay, with low cliffs, open moorland, and the broad sweep of the shore setting the tone. This is a landscape that feels spacious rather than mountainous: the elevation gain comes in small rises and undulations rather than one sustained climb. On a calm day it can feel gentle and open; in stronger weather, the same coastline becomes much more exposed.

What the route is like

From Sand Wick, the route follows the coast northward. Some walkers stay on the turf above the beach, while others may use the sand where conditions allow, but the main line of travel is along grassy coastal ground with occasional stiles and rough patches. The terrain is generally easy to read in clear weather, though faint paths can disappear in places, so route-finding still matters. If you are using digital navigation, HiiKER is the best fit for checking the line of the route and keeping track of the return. The ground near fences, burns, and old field boundaries can be uneven, and after wet weather the boggier sections can slow progress noticeably. The nearby Walkhighlands route describes this stretch as easy coastal walking with stiles and gates, and notes wildlife-rich shoreline farther north toward Colvadale and the Whale Back. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

As the walk develops, Burga Wick and the coast beyond feel more remote. The scenery shifts from beach and short turf to a more broken shoreline with darker rock, old grazing land, and traces of former settlement. The route is usually walked as an out-and-back or partial circuit depending on the exact line chosen, so it is worth paying attention to landmarks behind you as well as ahead, especially if sea mist rolls in.

Landmarks, archaeology, and local history

This coast is especially rewarding for hikers who enjoy historical landscapes. Near Sand Wick are the remains of an Iron Age house and evidence of Pictish burials, and farther along are the remains of a Norse longhouse that was built when the shoreline lay differently from today. Near the cemetery at Framgord are the remains of a Viking chapel, unusual keelstones, and small carved crosses, all pointing to a long period of Norse occupation and seafaring life on this coast. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

Farther north, the ground preserves old noosts—boat shelters where vessels were hauled above the reach of the sea. These are thought to date to Viking times and are tied to the former farm at Framgord. Beyond them, the ruined houses of Colvadale come into view. Colvadale is a deserted township, and its remains are one of the most evocative parts of the walk: roofless stone walls, old enclosures, and the sense of a once-worked coastal settlement now reclaimed by grass and weather. The black rocks of the Whale Back form a