Four enthusiastic cyclists took to two wheels on 19 August to explore the southern part of Unst as part of a Wild Skies Shetland project encouraging locals and visitors to leave the car behind and discover the island by bike. Earlier this year, Wild Skies Shetland received funding for climate action, which has been used to purchase an electric bike and develop Unst’s tourism offer. The funding came through a participatory budgeting initiative supporting more than a dozen local eco-friendly groups working to reduce emissions across Shetland.

Our aim is to encourage more people to cycle between the locations featured on Unst’s popular Sky Trail. The volunteer cycling group collected their ‘trusty steeds’ from Unst Leisure Centre, which has kindly agreed to store and maintain the new e-bike alongside its own bikes available for hire. Over the course of the day, the cyclists covered around 30 miles, visiting six Sky Trail stops including Belmont, Framgord, Lund, Collaster and Houlland, with a picnic lunch stop at Muness Castle along the way.

The verdict? Cycling is a fantastic way to explore Unst, offering a chance to slow down, enjoy the scenery and experience the island from a completely different perspective. We hope our e-bike project will make it easier for more people to discover Unst’s landscapes, skies and heritage while reducing reliance on motorised transport.

Cycling is becoming increasingly popular on the island, with electric bikes proving particularly appealing to visitors during the busy summer season. More people are choosing two wheels rather than four to reach some of Unst’s quieter and more remote corners. Of course, Unst has its share of hills – and we’re certainly no strangers to a strong Shetland wind! That’s where a little electric assistance can make all the difference.

We’re looking forward to seeing where our e-bike takes people next!