UYEA in Northmavine in the Shetland Isles is the top wild beauty spot in the UK, according to a survey carried out by the Mini car marque.
The wildness score was worked out by looking at the volumes of Google searches, Instagram tags, and positive reviews on Google and Tripadvisor and Uyea came out on top ahead of Llyn Dinas in Wales and Binevenagh in Northern Ireland.
Fingal’s Cave on Staffa was the other Scottish wild beauty spot in the top 10, coming in 10th place, but Scotland has no fewer than seven of the top 20 with Buachaille Etive Mor (below) between Glen Etive and Glencoe ranked 11, Duncansby Stacks in Caithness at 13, Langamull Beach on the Isle of Mull in 15th place, Eildon Hill in the Scottish Borders at 16 and St Ninian’s Isle in the Shetlands in 20th place.
Mini stated: “The uninhabited tidal island of Uyea in Shetland, Scotland takes the coveted top spot as the UK’s best hidden gem according to the research.
“It doesn’t get much wilder than Uyea. This stunning uninhabited island in Northmavine received our maximum wildness score, as well as five-star ratings from both Google and Tripadvisor. It’s perhaps the smallest setting for your big adventures, but its wild beauty is really something to behold. Amongst the stunning nature, you’ll also find the ruins of Saint Olaf’s Chapel.
“You can only access the island on foot via a connecting beach at low tide but the trip is worth it, with its natural arches and rocky climbs it’s truly one of the most magical places to visit in the UK.
Mini waxed lyrical about the second Scottish wild beauty spot: “A truly original sight, Fingal’s Cave has one of the most unique structures you’ll ever see. Basalt columns inside feature hexagonal patterns that almost seem man made, but it’s all the work of nature. It can be explored by taking a sightseeing cruise and getting off at Staffa Island’s landing place.
“The cave itself also benefits from some pretty impressive acoustics. Fingal’s Cave offers a striking experience, and over the years it’s inspired JMW Turner, Sir Walter Scott and even Pink Floyd. And it’s not just artists who adore Fingal’s Cave. Visitors gave this dreamy location 4.8 stars on Google.”
Mini explained: “To gather the best wild locations in the UK to visit, we pulled together a long list of over 100 nature based locations from across the UK, judging them against two sets of criteria which were used to gauge both their ‘visitor rating’ and ‘wildness’. The average of these visitor ratings and wildness scores were then used to give a final score out of 100 that determines the best, undiscovered, wild locations that are perfect for an adventure.”
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