Locality Profiles - Online Versions

Yell, Unst & Fetlar

Yell, Unst and Fetlar are all different in character. Known for unique plant and birdlife, the islands are rich in archaeology, including Viking finds. They are home to a number of beaches, including an award winning Blue Flag beach in Yell. Crofting and farming are important across the isles, as is fishing and aquaculture, with fish landing at Cullivoe.

Unst is the most northerly island in Britain, with a National Nature Reserve at Hermaness. Fetlar is known as the Garden of Shetland due to its fertile soil, and is famous for birdlife including the Red Necked Phalarope. Yell is the second largest island in Shetland, is part of the Carbon Neutral Islands project, and has nationally important nature reserves such as the RSPB’s Lumbister site.

There are a range of community run facilities, including 4 heritage centres between the islands. Unst also has the community managed Gardiesfauld Youth Hostel. There are 5 shops in Yell, 1 in Fetlar and 3 in Unst. There are health centres in Unst and Yell, with a Health Care Support Worker in Fetlar. There are schools in Yell and Unst for primary and secondary pupils, with a further 2 primary schools across the islands. Unst and Yell also have leisure centres. Communities put on events throughout the year.

Buses run from Lerwick to the ferry terminal at Toft, the access point to the islands, with buses to all the isles running Monday to Saturday. Ferries to and between the three isles take from 10-25 minutes, depending on departure point and arrival destination.

Measure Data Update
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Population Change

 In 2021, there was a 7% decrease in population over 10 years, the Shetland population overall has declined by 1% in this time.
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Population Total

 In 2021, there were 1,542 people living in Yell, Unst & Fetlar, 7% of Shetland’s population.
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Population aged over 65

 In 2021, 31.3% of the population were aged 65 and over, higher than the Shetland average of 21.8% and 7.2% more than 10 years previously.
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Population aged under 16

 In 2021, 16.2% of the population were under 16 years old, lower than the Shetland average of 17.9% and 0.8% less than 10 years previously.
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Population aged 16-64

 In 2021, 52.5% of the population were aged 16-64, lower than the Shetland average of 61% and 6.4% less than 10 years previously.
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Children in Poverty

 In 2021-2022, 9.1% of children were living in poverty, lower than the Shetland average of 11.6%.
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Cost of Living

 The cost of living is up to 13% higher than the Shetland average and up to 62% higher than the UK average.
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Out of Work Benefits

 In 2021-22, 9.6% of the population claimed out of work benefits, the Shetland average was 8.8%.
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Median Income

 In 2022, median income was reported as 25.7% lower than the Shetland average and 23.1% less than the Scottish average.
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Average House Price

 In 2022, the average house price was £123,000, the Shetland average was £178,000.
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International Designations

 There are 9 sites considered the best for Wildlife in Europe (international designations).
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Local Nature Conservation Sites

 There are 13 Local Nature Conservation Sites.
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Sites of Special Scientific Interest

 There are 29 Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
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Growing and Eating own Produce

 In 2021, 45% of the population reported growing and eating their own produce, the Shetland average was 30%.
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Drinking at a harmful or hazardous level

 In 2021,18.4% of the population reported drinking alcohol at a harmful or hazardous level; the Shetland average was 17.7%.
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Physically Active 5+ days a week

 In 2021, 68% of the population reported being physically active on 5+ days per week, the Shetland average was 58%.
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Loneliness

 In 2021, 13% of the population reported feeling lonely, the Shetland average was 17%.
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School Roll

 In 2023, the School Roll was 187.
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Participation Rate

 In 2023, 100% of 16-19 year olds were in education, training or employment, the Shetland average was 97.4%.

Locality Profiles are intended to be useful for both communities and partners to provide detailed information at a local level, for purposes including service redesign, local plans and maximising opportunities to seek external funding to support community development. Profiles have been created for each of the 7 localities in Shetland. Statistics should be treated with caution due to small numbers, and figures can fluctuate significantly. A separate profile for Fetlar is also available.

Data Sources: CACI Paycheck 2022; Highlands and Islands Enterprise - Minimum Income Standard 2016; Improvement Service 2023; National Records Scotland (NRS) Population estimates 2021; NHS Shetland Population Health Survey 2021; Scottish Government: House Prices - Residential Properties Sales and Price 2022; Shetland Islands Council Local Development Plan 2014 Appendix III Environmental Baseline; Shetland Islands Council 2023; Skills Development Scotland, Annual Participation Measure 2023. Definitions, full details and links can be found on the Shetland Partnership website.

 

Published December 2023