SHETLAND: Saxa Vord and Muckle Flugga Lighthouse
Saxa Vord is a former Royal Air Force station on Unst, the northernmost island of Shetland. It is now home to SaxaVord Spaceport, a launch site and ground station for small rockets delivering payloads into low earth orbit. SaxaVord also offers accommodation, dining and entertainment options for visitors who want to explore the natural and cultural heritage of Shetland.
Nearby Saxa Vord is the Muckle Flugga Lighthouse, which marks the northernmost point of the British Isles. The lighthouse was built in 1854 by Thomas and David Stevenson, the father and uncle of Robert Louis Stevenson, the famous author of Treasure Island and Kidnapped. The lighthouse is perched on a rocky outcrop that is often battered by storms and waves. It is no longer manned, but can be seen from a distance by boat or from Hermaness National Nature Reserve, a haven for seabirds and wildlife.
